Soccer

Ribery unhappy over missing out on Ballon d’Or

Bayern Munich star says Ronaldo won nothing in 2013

Franck Ribery attends a press conference prior to the Fifa Ballon d’Or ceremony in Zurich, Switzerland. Photograph: , Patrick Seeger/EPA
Franck Ribery attends a press conference prior to the Fifa Ballon d’Or ceremony in Zurich, Switzerland. Photograph: , Patrick Seeger/EPA
Mon Jan 20 2014 - 13:21

Franck Ribery has claimed he deserved to win the Fifa Ballon d'Or ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo because the Real Madrid forward won nothing in 2013.

Ronaldo beat off competition from Bayern Munich midfielder Ribery and Lionel Messi to be crowned the world's best player last week.

It was reward for 12 months of brilliant individual performances, but an aggrieved Ribery felt the five titles 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.”

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Ribery 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.

And Ribery appeared disheartened by the whole experience.

Asked about next year’s award, he said: “The Golden Ball doesn’t interest me any more.”