Featured Image Credit: TikTok/ddb449
Topics: Portugal, Spain, UEFA Nations League, Cristiano Ronaldo, Franck Ribery
Jack Kenmare
Topics: Portugal, Spain, UEFA Nations League, Cristiano Ronaldo, Franck Ribery
Fan footage from the Allianz Arena has emerged that appears to show Franck Ribery being targeted by Portugal fans, just moments after Cristiano Ronaldo scored in the Nations League final.
In the build-up to Sunday's game, Ribery hit back at Ronaldo after the former Real Madrid and Manchester United forward claimed that players need to win the Champions League in order to be in contention for the Ballon d’Or.
Ribery missed out on winning the individual honour but memorably came third behind Lionel Messi and Ronaldo in 2013, despite being tipped to win after lifting five trophies with Bayern Munich that year, including the Champions League.
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Ronaldo, meanwhile, was awarded the Ballon d’Or, despite failing to win a trophy with Real Madrid in 2013.
Speaking ahead of the Nations League final, Ronaldo said: "The individual awards have lost some consensus, I can’t say anything about who should win. In my opinion, those who stand out and win the Champions League should win."
He added: "But there is no consensus. I don’t believe much in individual awards because I know what goes on behind the scenes. Lamine [Yamal] could win, like [Ousmane] Dembele or Vitinha, other emerging players, but individual awards are irrelevant."
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Ribery soon hit back at Ronaldo’s comments, posting a message on Instagram that read: "So you NEED to win the Champions League to win the Ballon d’Or?"
A few days later, the Frenchman is said to have made an appearance at the Allianz Arena as Portugal became the first team in history to win the Nations League twice after beating Spain on penalties.
Ronaldo, meanwhile, scored the 138th goal of his international career as he equalised in the 61st minute to make it 2-2. In fact, moments later, footage shows Ribery being targeted by fans as they celebrated the goal.
TikTok user tarkiiano also posted a clip of Ribery from the stadium, as the former Bayern winger could be seen interacting with members of the crowd.
Ribery has certainly been vocal about missing out on the Ballon d'Or in 2013.
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"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."
In various other interviews, Ribery has described Ronaldo's win as "a political choice" and even said he was "disgusted" over the decision.
"It was unfair," he toid Gazzetta dello Sport in 2022. "It was an incredible season for me and I should have won it. They extended the time for votes, and something strange happened. I felt that it was a political choice."
Ribery played a key role for Bayern's treble-winning side under Jupp Heynckes, who also added the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup to their cabinet in what was a clean sweep as Ribery notched 22 goals and 18 assists.