He is not part of the list of six French people to have won the Ballon d’Or. Raymond Kopa, Michel Platini, Jean-Pierre Papin, Zinédine Zidane, Karim Benzema and Ousmane Dembélé should have been accompanied by Franck Ribéry.
In 2013, the Bayern Munich player had an exceptional season with Bayern Munich. Author of a historic hat-trick (Bundesliga, German Cup and Champions League), the native of Boulogne-sur-Mer was logically named UEFA’s best player.
During this edition, won by Cristiano Ronaldo, Franck Ribéry came first in the journalists’ votes, with 11.22% of the votes. The Portuguese only came in second position, with 8.54% of the votes.
Ballon d’Or 2013, Ribéry wrongly accused journalists
At the time, the former Olympique de Marseille player was completely wrong in believing that if he had not won the prestigious individual award, it was because of… journalists. He had deplored a lack of support from his own country and was convinced that the French press had
” coward “.
However, if the system for designating the Ballon d’Or had been solely that of journalists, as was the case before 2010 or as today, Franck Ribéry would very likely have won this trophy which was so close to his heart. At the finish, he failed on the third step of the podium, with Lionel Messi also ahead of him.
