AFCON 2025
Retired French star, Franck Ribéry has responded sharply to Cristiano Ronaldo’s recent comments on the Ballon d’Or, reigniting a debate nearly 12 years in the making.
Ahead of Portugal’s UEFA Nations League final tie, Ronaldo stated: “whoever shines and wins the Champions League should win the Ballon d’Or,” though he also insisted individual awards “have lost their value” due to behind-the-scenes influence.
Ribéry, who claimed a historic treble with Bayern Munich in 2013, hitting 11 goals and 23 assists, delivered a pointed response on social media:
“So you NEED to win the Champions League to get the Ballon d’Or?”
He highlighted the irony—back in 2013, Ronaldo narrowly claimed the Ballon d’Or with 27.99% of votes, despite a trophyless season, after the voting deadline was controversially extended post his hat-trick in a playoff versus Sweden.
Ribéry’s key achievements in 2013 include a Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal, UEFA Champions League treble. He also scored 11 goals & 23 assists in Europe’s top ccompetitins.
Yet he finished third in the 2013 Ballon d’Or voting—behind Ronaldo (27.99%), Messi (24.72%), with Ribéry on 23.36%—a result he still deems “an injustice.”
He maintains the award was influenced by the delayed voting window and attributed his points to strong press backing from journalists, not coaches or captains.
