Best footballers of 2013: Franck Ribery

For the last five years, the Ballon d’Or has been a straight fight between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, and only Iniesta, managed to break the stranglehold of the duo, when he finished second in 2010. But, on the face of it, it looks like 2013 might just be the year in which Messi’s run of four straight Ballon d’Or wins come to a screeching halt. And the man who breaks his record might just be Franck Ribéry.

If the Frenchman does win it, it should come as little surprise to anyone as he was a part of the most successful club side of 2013. Not only did Bayern Munich win every single competition they took part it, they were without a shadow of a doubt, the best team in each of them and Ribéry was a huge reason, why they won so much in the last calendar year. His part in Bavarian club’s success over the past twelve months has meant that he already has plenty of accolades in his kitty.

Ribéry is the reigning Bundesliga player of the year, UEFA Champions League player of the year, French player of the year, European player of the year, the kicker Man of the Year, FIFA Club World Cup Most Valuable player and Golden Ball winner. And although he isn’t the favorite to scoop the Fifa Ballon d’Or as well, the truth is, he should be. Because, 2013 was the year in which, “jewel of French football” as coined by Zinedine Zidane finally shone brightest on the world.

Whilst all the individual honors speak a lot, the fact that he was an integral part of the most successful club side in recent memory is again another thing he has in his favor. All of this, was in the same year in which, he turned 30, an age in which wingers generally start fading away. But Ribéry did the exact opposite. Instead of fading away, he shined brighter than ever and set the stage on fire.

Whilst Ribéry’s undeniable talent was never in question, the truth was that, he was never able to fully justify all the hype that surrounded him. Sure, he scored a lot of goals and had a lot of assists, but he never quite made his mark on the game. For all of his qualities, he was never quite able to grab the game by the scruff of the neck and take his team through. And that was until 2013, the year in which he showed the world that not only was he a great winger, but as one of the finest players of his generation.

With his lightning quick pace and his ability to beat his man either through the perfect pass or through a tricky dribble, Ribéry was a nightmare for full-backs the world over. That coupled with his tenacious energy and excellent close control, meant that he was a menace to any defense. In 2013, he showcased all of that as he ended the year with 22 goals and 18 assists to his name.

Not only did he finish the year at the top of the assists charts, he also attempted and completed more dribbles, interceptions and chances than both Messi and Ronaldo combined. Now, that is some achievement, considering the fact that the aforementioned duo have duopolised any major awards ceremony. But, in a year in which Bayern have emerged as a force on the European scene after a period of dormancy, something similar has also happened to Ribéry, a player who has awakened from his slumber and added the only thing that was missing in his arsenal of skills, consistency. The reason why the Frenchman is one of the best players of 2013 is not just the goals or assists or the sheer numbers that you see, but the fact that in the last calendar year, when it comes to consistently, stepping up to the plate, when it matters most, he is there.

When it comes to his game, although he might not have the goal record of Ronaldo or Messi, he has shown that he is much more than that. He is an entertainer, a vital cog in the Bayern Machine that is all set to take over Europe in the coming years. And through his exploits in 2013, he has developed into a cool, calm and consistent attacker who is relentless in his pursuit of involving himself in every aspect of Bayern’s play.

Testament to that has been the words of his current coach, Guardiola, who told Bild “I have never seen a player with Ribéry ‘s character at this level, the way he keeps fighting and running for the team is incredible.” He added that “It’s an honor for me to coach Franck.” Words that every footballer dreams of hearing.

His performances against Barcelona in the Champions League semifinal was a testament to that. Although his side were already up 4-0 on aggregate from the first leg, it was the Frenchman who ensured that Bayern did not slip up in the second. It was in the second leg that he gave Dani Alves nightmares, by not giving him a moment’s peace. At Camp Nou, Ribéry was the Catalan’s chief tormentor. Not only did he assist in a goal, his overall work-rate throughout the 90 minutes were nothing short of exemplary.

Through his exploits on the pitch, 2013 was the year in which he became a leader, a year that saw him showcase his talents like never before. And that is precisely what led former coach, Jupp Heynckes to proudly proclaim in an open letter to Kicker that “You wanted success for the whole team and so you invested your great individual skills for the big picture to succeed.” And that is the reason why Ribéry is without a doubt, 2013’s best player, because for all his talent, he put his team above all else and if he does win the FIFA Ballon d’Or, it will be a reward for not just him, but for all of Bayern as well.