Ribery Claps Back at Ronaldo Over Ballon d’Or Comments

Ribery Claps Back at Ronaldo Over Ballon d’Or Comments

Franck Ribery has reignited a classic football debate after Cristiano Ronaldo suggested that winning the Champions League should be a key factor in winning the Ballon d’Or.

During a recent press conference, Ronaldo stated, “Those who stand out and win the Champions League should win… but individual awards are irrelevant.” Ribery, who infamously missed out on the 2013 Ballon d’Or despite winning five trophies with Bayern Munich, including the UCL, didn’t hold back in his response.

Posting on Instagram, the French legend asked, “So you NEED to win the Champions League to win the Ballon d’Or?”—a pointed jab at Ronaldo, who won the award in 2013 despite not winning any major trophies that year.

Ribery had been named UEFA’s Best Player in Europe that season, while Ronaldo dazzled statistically with 66 goals in 56 games. The moment has reignited the age-old debate: Should team success or individual brilliance define the Ballon d’Or?