Franck Ribery Fumes At Not Winning 2013 Ballon d'Or, Calls It 'Biggest Injustice Of My Career'

Nearly six years have passed since Franck Ribery finished third in the Ballon d'Or rating but the Frenchman is still angry over not winning the award.

Ribery had a sensational year at club level in 2013, notching 22 goals and 18 assists that as Bayern Munich won the Bundesliga, Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, German Cup and FIFA Club World Cup.

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However, it was not enough for him to steer away of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. After scoring 66 times, Ronaldo garnered 27.99% of the votes to win the prize, while Messi got 24.72% and Ribery got 23.36%.

Image: PA

Luka Modric ended the Messi-Ronaldo dominance of individual awards in football last year when he won both the Ballon d'Or and FIFA Men's Best Player Award but Ribery is still bitter that he wasn't the one to do so.

"More than a disappointment. It's the biggest injustice of my career," he told L'Equipe, as per Goal.

"Not only for me, for many people. I was on top and I finished 3rd. I had nothing to envy Ronaldo or Messi that year. I say it in all humility because it is the truth."

This isn't the first time Ribery has embarked on an outburst over the decision. Earlier this year he said he was "disgusted" over not winning and that he still hadn't "digested" it.

Fast forward to the present day and Ribery, now 36, is on the hunt for a new challenge after leaving Bayern Munich following 12 glorious years in Bavaria.

According to German outlet Kicker, newly promoted Sheffield United want to bring the winger to the Premier League but note that Ribery is currently hoping for a bigger club - with a return to Turkish giants Galatasaray rumoured.

Speaking back in May, Ribery suggested he would be open to moving to Australia to reunite with former colleague Markus Babbel, who is manager of A-League outfit Western Sydney Wanderers.

Ribery said: "Why should I not move to colleague Babbel? I do not know. There are many options. I'm not sure yet where I'm going."

Topics: Football News, Football, Franck Ribery, Lionel Messi, Ballon d'Or, Bayern Munich, Cristiano Ronaldo

Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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