Franck Ribery has taken a swipe at the Ballon d’Or organisers by claiming it is awarded via politics rather than football achievements.
The Bayern Munich winger says he learned a lot about the award after turning up for the ceremony and knowing he had no chance of winning it.
“I learned a lot about the Ballon d’Or at the ceremony. When I arrived I turned to my wife and said ‘watch how I lose’,” revealed the Frenchman in comments made to Sport Bild, before going on to explain the reason why.
“I saw Sepp Blatter hugging Cristiano Ronaldo and noticed how his entire family was there. I’m not stupid.
“It was obvious he was going to win it or else he wouldn’t have brought his whole family with him. It will be the same this year.”
Ribery believes the accolade this time around should go to either Manuel Neuer or Arjen Robben, his teammates in Germany, but denied he is jealous about losing out.
“It doesn’t mean anything to me anymore,” he declared.
