Franck Ribery Says He Deserves Ballon D’or Not Ronaldo
Franck Ribéry has claimed he deserved to win the Ballon d’Or ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo because the Real Madrid forward won nothing in 2013.
Ronaldo beat off competition from the Bayern Munich midfielder and Lionel Messi to be crowned the world’s best player last week, a reward for his 12 months of brilliant individual performances, but an aggrieved Ribéry felt the five trophies he won with his all-conquering Bayern side should have counted for more.
“I won everything, with the team and individually. Ronaldo won nothing,” the France international said in an interview with Munich’s TZ newspaper. “I feel I had earned this award. It’s all politics.”
Ribéry helped Bayern win the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal, Champions League, Uefa Super Cup and Fifa Club World Cup in 2013, while Ronaldo’s 66 goals in 56 appearances for Madrid failed to win them a single trophy.
Ribery appeared disheartened by the whole experience. Asked about next year’s award, he said: “The Golden Ball doesn’t interest me any more.”
