Franck Ribery took to his social media platform, X (formerly known as Twitter), to express his thoughts with a touch of humor. Accompanied by laughing emojis, he posted: “So you NEED to win the Champions League to win the Ballon d’Or?”. His comment stems from personal history, recalling 2013 when he missed out on the prestigious award to Cristiano Ronaldo.

During the 2012-13 season, Cristiano Ronaldo showcased his prowess by scoring 55 goals and delivering 13 assists. Yet, Real Madrid struggled in major tournaments, missing out on the UEFA Champions League, La Liga, and the Copa del Rey titles. Their only victory came in the Spanish Supercup. Despite these challenges, Ronaldo secured the Ballon d’Or. He surpassed Franck Ribery, who had an exceptional season with Bayern Munich, winning the Bundesliga, the UEFA Champions League, the DFB-Pokal, and the DFL-Supercup.

Every year, the Ballon d’Or criteria spark intense debate. Many question why individual performance seems less valued if a team misses out on the Champions League title. The announcement of the 2025 winner remains pending until September 22. However, discussions about who deserves the award are gaining momentum and stirring both passion and controversy within the sports community.

2025 Ballon d’Or debate heats up: Who is the favorite player to win the award this year?

After winning the UEFA Champions League with Paris Saint-Germain, Ousmane Dembele shines as the award favorite. However, this has sparked significant debate. Many argue that players like Raphinha, Lamine Yamal, and Mohamed Salah have outperformed him. Furthermore, the reliance on just one trophy to decide the award winner remains controversial as the UEFA Best Player of the Year already acknowledges such achievements, raising questions about the current criteria.

Lamine Yamal recently joined the discussion. He argues for a focus on consistent performance throughout an entire season. In his view, the Ballon d’Or should recognize long-term excellence, not just brief moments in individual games. Despite not saying it explicitly, his words are meant to advocate against prioritizing UEFA Champions League as a determinant factor for the award.

As the countdown to the announcement of the award winner in September 2025 continues, the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup could significantly impact this decision. Ousmane Dembele needs to shine in this tournament. If he leads PSG to victory, he boosts his chances. He could emerge as the frontrunner for the prestigious award. This would leave contenders like Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, and Mohamed Salah trailing behind.

Ribery reached the peak of his career competing directly with the game’s biggest names, including Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. In a 2013 interview with L’Équipe, Ribery—fresh off Bayern’s historic treble-winning season—was asked to weigh in on the debate. His answer was both honest and emphatic, offering a glimpse into the mindset of one of Europe’s most dynamic players at the time.

“I did everything. I avoided injuries and performed consistently. Ronaldo scores many goals, but Messi is always the best player in the world and in history—even though he’s had a few injuries this year,” Ribery stated. His choice to back Messi over Ronaldo was headline-worthy, given the intensity of the Ballon d’Or race that season and Ribery’s own stake in the outcome.

Ribéry also shared a personal moment with Messi in a later interview with French media, recounting a cryptic yet revealing exchange between the two. “Whoever tries to stop you is only doing what you already expect,” Ribery told Messi. The Argentine laughed and replied, ‘You’re a great player, and I respect you a lot.’” The mutual admiration between the two stars underscored the deep respect shared among elite athletes.

Ribery went on to say, “In an interview, you mentioned that there are many good players and you included my name. That was an honorable and humble thing to say. But let me tell you, Leo—you are the best in the world.” The Frenchman’s admiration was sincere and powerful, further cementing his stance in the Messi vs Ronaldo debate.

Ribery’s career journey

Franck Ribery’s rise to global stardom is a story of grit and greatness. Born in Boulogne-sur-Mer in 1983, he endured a serious car accident as a toddler that left lasting facial scars—later a symbol of his resilience. He began his professional journey in France’s lower divisions before shining at FC Metz in 2004. His explosive style and creative flair soon earned him a move to Galatasaray, where he helped secure the Turkish Cup in 2005.

Later in 2005, Ribery joined Olympique de Marseille and quickly became one of Ligue 1’s standout talents. His electric performances led to a call-up to the French national team, where he starred in the 2006 FIFA World Cup as France finished runners-up. In 2007, Bayern Munich secured his signature in a record deal, kicking off one of the club’s most successful periods with Ribery as a central figure.

Ribery became a Bayern legend during his 12 seasons with the German giants. He won nine Bundesliga titles, six DFB-Pokal trophies, and capped it all with a UEFA Champions League win in 2013 as part of the club’s treble. His wing partnership with Arjen Robben—nicknamed “Robbery”—terrorized defenses across Europe. That same year, he was named UEFA Best Player in Europe and finished third in the Ballon d’Or voting.

Going out on top

After parting ways with Bayern in 2019, Ribery brought his talents to Italy, playing for Fiorentina and later Salernitana. Even in his late 30s, he showed flashes of brilliance and provided invaluable leadership. Ribery officially retired from professional soccer in 2022, leaving behind a legacy defined by flair, passion, and a relentless will to win. In Munich and beyond, his name remains synonymous with greatness.

Franck Ribery stood out as the biggest star during a remarkable season in FC Bayern Munich’s storied history. His performances took him to the pinnacle of world soccer. Journalists considered him the top favorite to win the Ballon d’Or, but the award slipped away. Years later, Ribery spoke openly about his frustration, holding nothing back.

“I won everything…The Champions League, the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal double, the Club World Cup, the title of Best European Player…It was the perfect year. I couldn’t have done better…That Ballon d’Or will always be an injustice. I’m still looking for an explanation, though some people have given me one,” stated Franck Ribery on L’Equipe.

Franck even openly criticized the voting system in that year’s Ballon d’Or, letting it be known that he was affected by it: “I’ll never understand why the voting deadline was extended by more than two weeks when I was leading among journalists…If the voting system had been like it is today, I would have won,” affirmed Franck Ribery on L’Equipe.

Although Franck Ribery never won the Ballon d’Or, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo always showed him respect. They knew he deserved to be part of that elite group. Three years after retiring from professional soccer, Ribery remains one of the greatest players in FC Bayern Munich’s history. He competed for the prestigious award alongside two of the best players the sport has ever seen.

Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben: The iconic duo that defined Bayern Munich’s success

Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben played together for 10 years at FC Bayern Munich. During that time, they formed one of the club’s greatest duos. They spent 11,306 minutes on the field and combined for 37 goal contributions. Each played on a different wing, yet they built an impressive connection. Their partnership played a key role in Bayern Munich’s title-winning success.

Young Bayern Munich star earns high praise from Franck Ribery

FC Bayern Munich appears to have found its new star: Michael Olise. The young French talent has already claimed the right-wing role, pushing Serge Gnabry to the left. Despite his age, Olise’s impressive performances have earned praise from club legend Franck Ribery.

“A very good player. It’s not easy when you come to such a big club as a young player and don’t speak the language. He’s doing very well. I’m happy.” Will Olise be the next Ribery? “I hope so!,” stated Ribery as reported by Sky Sports.

At 23 years old, Michael Olise has already played 40 games, scoring 13 goals and providing 11 assists. His versatility allows him to shine both on the wing and in attacking midfield. Only time will tell if he becomes an FC Bayern idol, but he is already heading in that direction.

After joining US Salernitana, Franck Ribery faced a series of serious injury setbacks that ultimately derailed his career. “My knee was hurting more and more. I was no longer training between games but recovering to preserve myself. I would take two days off, then three or four. I lost my rhythm to save myself. Then tests revealed that I had no cartilage left. I had surgery in Austria. The operation went well, with the placement of a plate inside,” stated Frank Ribery on L’Equipe.

However, his struggles were far from over. Just five months later, Ribery encountered a major setback. “I had a serious infection. For two months I took pills. The plaque was removed. The infection had eaten away at me. It was so bad that I had holes all over my leg. I had caught Staphylococcus aureus. I was admitted to a hospital in Austria for twelve days. I was really scared. They came close to cutting my leg off,” confessed Frank Ribery on L’Equipe.

Despite his painful retirement, Franck Ribery left a lasting mark on soccer. During his time at Bayern Munich, he scored 124 goals and recorded 182 assists. He also formed a formidable attacking partnership with Arjen Robben, making them one of the most memorable duos in history. Reflecting on their bond, Ribery shared a heartfelt message about his former teammate: “We argued, we fought, but he became a friend, almost a brother, like many others.”

Franck Ribery blasts 2013 Ballon d’Or decision after Bayern’s historic treble

In 2013, Franck Ribery was at the center of what many experts consider one of the greatest injustices in soccer history. That year, Bayern Munich claimed the treble, winning the UEFA Champions League, the FIFA Club World Cup, and the Bundesliga. Ribery was the undisputed star of that team and played a crucial role in securing those titles. As a result, he was considered one of the top favorites to win the Ballon d’Or.

However, the award went to Cristiano Ronaldo. After several years of silence, Frank Ribery made some strong statements: “I won everything that year…It was the perfect year. I couldn’t have done any better. That Ballon d’Or will forever remain an injustice. I’m still looking for the explanation, although some people have given me one.”

Frank openly criticized the decision to delay the voting for the award by two weeks, noting that he had been the front-runner at the time. Additionally, Ribery claimed that if the voting process that year had mirrored the current format, he would have beaten Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to win the Ballon d’Or.

After a nerve-wracking game, Argentina tied 3-3 with France, and in the penalty shootout the Blues lost 4-2. France lost a unique chance to be in the World Cup history as the third team with two consecutive World Cups won, as well as one of thefive national teams with more thanthreeWorld Cups clinched.

Even coach Didier Deschampsdidn’t hesitate to state his current status as the head of the French national team is unknown. Other players such as Karim Benzema weren’t part of any messages to the team. Other footballers such as Mesut Ozil mocked them.

Franck Ribery’s consolation message to the French national team after loss in the Qatar 2022 World Cup final game

As Franck Ribery is probably one of the best French players of all time, he sent a message to the young French national team after their loss to Argentina in the penalty shootout. “It’s a great achievement to make it to a world championship final and fight to the end for the win. I know how bitter it is to lose a final. Be proud of yourselves. Take heart!” he posted on his Twitter account.

Franck Ribery wasn’t at the stadium, just like other former World Cup winners with France werepresent. Most TV broadcasters showedDavid Trezeguet alongside former teammates from the 1998 France’s squadwho won the World Cup, as well as Paul Pogba watchingthe game at the Lusail Stadium.

Ribery who recently retired an amazing football career didn’t won any major tournaments as a French player. Although Ribery is a three-time winner of the French Player of the Year award and also won the German award of Footballer of the Year, becoming the first player to hold both honours. He has also been named to the UEFA Team of the Year and declared the Young Player of the Year in France.

The 38-year-old still wants to play and he might be looking forwardto joining a new team as soon as possible. Fortunately, it seems like theBayern Munich legendcould reach an agreement soon with another Serie A side. Ribery arrived in Firenze in 2019after spending 12 years withthe Bundesliga giants.

Even though his five goals and 10 assists in51 appearancesmight not sound impressive, he proved his talent and experience during his time with the Viola. A player like him will always have roomregardless of his age and that’s why another Italian club has reportedly offered him a one-year deal.

Report: Ribery offered one-year, €1.5m deal by newly-promoted Serie A side

Ashis potential arrival to Rome giants Lazio collapsed, the Frenchman was heavily linked with a move to Hellas Verona. The Gialloblu, however, seemunable to satisfy his salary demands, according to journalist Nicolo Schira.

CalcioMercato, instead, reported that Salernitana have offeredFranck Ribery a one-year contract fora €1.5 million salary plus bonuses. That way, he would still receive a lucrative paycheck in the final stages of his career.

Fans in Salerno are already going wild as they expect the arrival of the decoratedwinger, who has already proven in the Serie Athat he’s still has a lot left in him before hanging up the boots.

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