Ballon d'Or: 10 players who could have won if Messi and Ronaldo did not exist

#6 Franck Ribery

Franck Ribery is one of the greatest Bayern Munich players of all time

Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery really thought he had a chance to break the duopoly of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in 2013 following his impressive performances in Bayern Munich’s incredible treble-winning season.

Full of pace, trickery and skills, the Frenchman played a decisive role often cutting apart the opposition with his slick moves and incisive crosses even playing a starring role in Bayern’s stunning victory over Barcelona in the semi-final.

With many pundits backing the Bayern Munich man to win the top gong, Ribery was left bitterly disappointed when Ronaldo won it even calling the Ballon d’Or prize political in a stunning outburst. Speaking in 2014, Ribery said:

"I learned a lot during last year's Ballon d'Or gala (2013) As soon as I got there, I told my wife that I would lose," he told Bild.

"I saw how Sepp Blatter was hugging Ronaldo and how his entire family was there. I'm not stupid. It was clear that he had to win it. He wouldn't have brought his entire family with him otherwise.

"But I fear it will be about politics again. The Ballon d'Or is no longer for the best player. It's all about politics. Fabio Cannavaro won it in 2006 because he won the World Cup, that's all.

It is clear to see that Ribery did not take his loss very well. But then, there is no denying the fact that the Frenchman was absolutely on fire in 2014.