Ribery proves he’s no averse to a bit of self congratulation.
Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery has revealed that with the Germans winning the treble in 2012/13, the Frenchman should win the Ballon D’Or ahead of the likes of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
The 30-year-old was instrumental in Bayern’s superb campaign, which saw the club crowned Bundesliga and Champions League champions, along with winning the German Cup.
It would be hard to argue that Ribery doesn’t deserve the award, despite Messi having won the prestigious gong for the past four successive years.
“I think I’ve done everything to be the world’s best player,” the France international was quoted on bundesliga.com.
“I’ve played a very, very good season. It’s either now or never for winning this prize. I can’t play any better than this.”
The former Marseille star scored 11 goals during Bayern’s triumphant season and also contributed 22 assists.
This is compared to Barca’s Argentine, who continued his almost superhuman goal-scoring record with an incredible 58 strikes and providing for a further 18 goals.
Ronaldo meanwhile was close on the 26-year-old’s tail, netting 53 times and coming up with 14 assists, although the Portuguese forward ended the term with no silverware and Messi’s side were outdone by Bayern in the Champions League and ended the season with only the La Liga title.
Therefore, despite not being as prolific in the box as his competitors, Ribery did finish 2012/13 with more winners medals and provided the most assists for team mates of the trio – perhaps the most important role as a winger.
The French star has come into the best form of his career at the Allianz Arena and with Spanish ace Pep Guardiola taking over as manager this season, it’s likely to only get better for player and club.
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