Franck Ribery has questioned FIFA for awarding Cristiano Ronaldo the 2013 Ballon d’Or prize and claims that the winner is now decided by politics.
The Bayern Munich winger lost to Ronaldo last year, despite guiding the Bundesliga side to a historic treble. Ribery is not on this year’s 23-man shortlist and says the award has lost its meaning.
“I learned a lot during last year’s Ballon d’Or gala. As soon as I got there, I told my wife that I would lose,” Ribery told Sport Bild.
“I saw how Sepp Blatter was hugging Ronaldo and how his entire family was there. I’m not stupid. It was clear that he had to win it. He wouldn’t have brought his entire family with him otherwise.
“It will be the same this year. What can I say about it? Manuel Neuer or Arjen Robben should win it. You can’t disagree with this. Manu has won it all, he is a great guy and he isn’t arrogant. Arjen has played an incredible season in the Bundesliga and then a fantastic World Cup.
“But I fear it will be about politics again. The Ballon d’Or is no longer for the best player. It’s all about politics. Fabio Cannavaro won it in 2006 because he won the World Cup, that’s all.
“I don’t miss the Ballon d’Or. I am not jealous because this award doesn’t mean anything to me any more. I am happy with what I have in Munich.
“When 70,000 fans are screaming my name at the Allianz Arena, I get goosebumps. I can go home happy after that.”
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