Former Napoli defender Faouzi Ghoulam has provided striking inside detail regarding Fabián Ruiz’s 2022 departure from the Italian club, revealing that Paris Saint‑Germain completed the transfer specifically to sabotage Real Madrid’s attempt to acquire the Spanish midfielder. The revelation offers a rare glimpse into the high‑stakes transfer battles conducted away from the pitch, illustrating how administrative maneuvering between European behemoths directly dictated the international trajectory of the former Napoli playmaker.
Speaking from his unique perspective as Ruiz’s former teammate at Napoli, Ghoulam detailed how Real Madrid had actively positioned themselves to sign the midfielder before the French champions intervened. The Spanish giants had identified Ruiz as a primary target for their tactical setup, intending to bring him back to La Liga. However, Paris Saint‑Germain executed a swift and decisive movement to finalize the agreement, effectively neutralizing Real Madrid’s transfer strategy and securing the player before the Spanish side could get their deal over the line.
Ghoulam’s comments highlight the fierce institutional rivalry that continues to define relations between Paris Saint‑Germain and Real Madrid. In modern elite football, intercepting high‑profile talent serves a dual tactical purpose: reinforcing one’s own squad while systematically denying vital assets to direct continental rivals. By swooping in to sign Ruiz directly from Napoli, Paris Saint‑Germain achieved a significant off‑pitch triumph over Real Madrid, altering the balance of power across European transfer markets.
The transfer disclosure arrives during a period of intense institutional friction for Real Madrid both domestically and internationally. On the European stage, Real Madrid and Barcelona have formed a rare political alliance to oppose decisions made by FIFA President Gianni Infantino. Domestically, tension has reached boiling point following refereeing disputes, with Jose Mourinho publicly raising questions over officiating integrity and referencing the Negreira scandal. Further friction emerged after Real Madrid TV directly criticized match officials, alleging social ties with Barcelona players, while captain Federico Valverde suffered severe ankle trauma from a challenge by Kang‑in Lee—a tackle La Liga’s refereeing body subsequently admitted deserved an immediate red card.
Ultimately, Ghoulam’s account confirms that Ruiz’s departure from Napoli was heavily influenced by wider political calculations between Europe’s elite. Instead of securing a high‑profile move to Real Madrid in La Liga, the midfielder found himself redirected to Ligue 1 with Paris Saint‑Germain. The former Napoli star’s career path stands as a clear example of how transfer sagas are frequently decided by calculated strategic blockades executed at the highest levels of executive leadership.
