France legend Franck Ribery admits feeling snubbed by Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi in Ballon d’Or race

France legend Franck Ribery admits feeling snubbed by Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi in Ballon d’Or race

Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have dominated the world of soccer for almost 20 years, however Franck Ribery was one of many few gamers who stood on their degree. Now retired, the France legend has opened up about his emotions of being snubbed in the course of the 2013 Ballon d’Or race, which noticed him lose out to Ronaldo.

A legend for each the France nationwide staff and Bayern Munich, Ribery formally introduced his retirement in October 2022. In an interview with L’Equipe, the ahead mirrored on his illustrious profession, focusing notably on the 2013 marketing campaign:

I had every thing besides that that yr. It was the right yr, I couldn’t have performed higher. This Ballon d’Or will endlessly stay an injustice,” Ribery stated, expressing his frustration over shedding out to Cristiano Ronaldo.

The 2012-13 season was the most effective in Ribery’s profession, each individually and together with his membership. With Bayern Munich, he gained the treble (Bundesliga, DFB Pokal, and UEFA Champions League), and he was additionally named UEFA Participant of the 12 months.

Regardless of Ribery’s excellent contributions, it was Cristiano Ronaldo, with 55 objectives and 13 assists in 55 video games that season, who claimed the 2013 Ballon d’Or. The controversy stemmed from the truth that Ronaldo had not gained a significant staff trophy that yr, securing solely the Spanish Tremendous Cup, a undeniable fact that many followers—and Ribéry himself—imagine contributed to an unjust determination.

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The 2013 Ballon d’Or voting

In 2013, France Soccer and FIFA collectively organized the Ballon d’Or, with coaches, captains, and the media every having a say within the vote. Regardless of his treble success, Ribery completed third within the Ballon d’Or race, trailing behind each Ronaldo and Messi.

Ronaldo claimed the highest spot with 27.99% of the vote (9.36% from coaches, 10.47% from captains, and eight.19% from the press), Messi was second with 24.72% (8.25% from coaches, 8.99% from captains, and seven.49% from the press), and Ribery completed third with 23.36% (6.44% from coaches, 5.19% from captains, and 10.75% from the press).

Whereas the consequence was shut, the voting sample revealed that Ribery had important help from the press. Nevertheless, coaches and captains appeared to favor Ronaldo’s extraordinary stats over Ribery’s trophy-laden season.