Fifa Ballon d'Or: Franck Ribery asks 'what more could I have done?' After missing out on award

The Frenchman won the treble with Bayern Munich

Agency
Tuesday 14 January 2014 13:24 GMT
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The FifPro Team of the Year: (Back L-R) Lionel Messi, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Cristiano Ronaldo, Franck Ribery, Xavi. (Front L-R) Dani Alves, Thiago Silva, Sergio Ramos, Phillip Lahm and Manuel Neuer (missing Andres Iniesta).
The FifPro Team of the Year: (Back L-R) Lionel Messi, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Cristiano Ronaldo, Franck Ribery, Xavi. (Front L-R) Dani Alves, Thiago Silva, Sergio Ramos, Phillip Lahm and Manuel Neuer (missing Andres Iniesta).

Franck Ribery has expressed his deep regret at missing out on the Ballon d'Or award on Monday night.

The current UEFA Best player in Europe was beaten into third place by Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi for the FIFA award, despite winning five trophies in the calendar year with his club Bayern Munich.

"What more could I have done other than to win absolutely everything with Bayern?" said the Frenchman to the Bild newspaper.

Nevertheless, the Frenchman says he is unconcerned at missing out on an award which would mean little compared with the trophies he has been winning for Bayern.

"Whether I finish second or third makes no difference. I'm no egoist and this title is not my aim - I'd rather win everything with Bayern all over again and then win the World Cup. That's important.

"Of course it would have been nice to win, but it's fine. We Bayern players and I first of all am just proud to be represented here."

Ribery did make it onto the FIFPro World XI along with Bayern team mates Manuel Neuer and Philipp Lahm, although he missed out on becoming the first Bundesliga and first Bayern player to win the individual award.

"It would have been great, above all for the fans, the club and for my wife, but it's not the most important thing for me," added the 30-year-old.

"I'm pleased that the issue is over with now. I want to win all the titles again this season with Bayern."

PA

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