Wednesday, 26th November, 2014



Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery has weighed in with his opinion on the FIFA Ballon d’Or and believes that too much politics is involved in the eventual decision.

FIFA released the names of 23 players last month who are nominated for the 2014 award, with the ceremony to be held early next year.




Cristiano Ronaldo won the 2013 Ballon d’Or with Ribery finishing third and with the Portuguese’s current run of form this season, he is the favourite to retain his title.

But the French winger feels that his Bayern Munich team-mates Manuel Neuer and Arjen Robben are more deserving candidates to win the honour next year.
 


But Ribery believes too much politics is involved in the selection process and the best player in the world for that particular season is not always awarded eventually.  

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"Manu [Neuer] has won everything, is a good person, not arrogant”, the Bayern Munich star told SportBild.

“Arjen played an unbelievable last Bundesliga season and after that an excellent World Cup. But I fear that there is still a lot of politics.

"The Ballon d’Or is awarded to the best player?

"I don't believe that anymore.

"In 2006 [Italy defender Fabio] Cannavaro won – because he was world champion, that's all."

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