Franck Ribery: The Ballon d’Or Will Always Be Unjust

Franck Ribery, the former Bayern Munich star, has reignited the debate over the fairness of the Ballon d'Or award. In a series of recent statements, Ribery expressed his belief that the prestigious prize will always be unjust, particularly citing the years when he felt he was unfairly overlooked in favor of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Ribery's comments come years after his standout season in 2013, where he led Bayern Munich to a historic treble, winning the Bundesliga, the DFB-Pokal, and the UEFA Champions League. Despite his remarkable performances, Ribery finished third in the Ballon d'Or voting, behind Ronaldo and Messi. This outcome has long been a point of contention for Ribery, who feels that the award often overlooks deserving candidates outside the Messi-Ronaldo duopoly.

The debate over the Ballon d'Or's criteria and selection process continues to stir discussions among football fans and pundits alike. Ribery's recent remarks add fuel to the ongoing conversation about the award's perceived biases and the broader implications for recognizing excellence in football.

• Ballon d'Or
• Bayern Munich
• Franck Ribery