Franck Ribery Claims He Deserved the 2013 Ballon d’Or Over Winner and Runner-Up

Franck Ribery, the former Bayern Munich star, has boldly claimed that he deserved to win the prestigious Ballon d'Or in 2013 over both the winner, Cristiano Ronaldo, and the runner-up, Lionel Messi. Ribery's assertion comes after a remarkable season where he played a pivotal role in Bayern Munich's treble-winning campaign, securing the Bundesliga, the DFB-Pokal, and the Champions League.

During that season, Ribery's performances were instrumental, and he was named the UEFA Best Player in Europe, an accolade that further bolsters his claim. However, despite his outstanding contributions, the Ballon d'Or was awarded to Ronaldo, who edged out Messi for the top honor. Ribery's comments have reignited debates about the fairness of football awards and the criteria used to determine the best player in the world.

Ribery expressed his belief that his achievements on the field during the 2012-2013 season were unmatched, stating that he felt he was robbed of the Ballon d'Or. His remarks have sparked a mix of support and criticism from football fans and pundits alike, with many revisiting the performances of all three players during that period.

• Ballon d'Or
• Bayern Munich
• Franck Ribery