FRANZ BECKENBAUER

Bayern Munich honorary president Franz Beckenbauer has stated that Frenchman Franck Ribery should be the recipient of the FIFA Ballon d’Or award. However, he feels that it will be Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo who will ultimately win the title. Ribery has been the outstanding player when it comes to winning titles in the last 12 months. He has managed to lift three major honours with Bayern Munich during this period. However, Cristiano Ronaldo has not won any major title, but he has been at the forefront of scoring goals.

Ribery has been outstanding this campaign as well, but the fact that Ronaldo has been getting more press will help him win the title according to Beckenbauer, who has himself been a recipient of this coveted award several years ago. The ceremony to award the winner will take place in just over a month. Beckenbauer has won this award two times during his playing days, but it may be awhile before a Bayern Munich player lifts this award. Beckenbauer states that Ronaldo has put all his efforts into winning the Ballon d’Or award, while Ribery has worked for the benefit of the team.

“Normally Ribery would have to win this time but nothing is normal in these votes. Ronaldo has put everything in one basket, he has all the ambition and characteristics to win the Ballon d’Or. Although Ribery has been the best throughout the year, it would not surprise me if in the end Ronaldo wins it,” said Beckenbauer.

Lionel Messi is the other competitor for both these players, but it seems that Ronaldo has edged out of the Barcelona superstar in recent weeks after a string of fine performances especially for his country, Portugal. Ronaldo almost single-handedly helped Portugal into the World Cup 2014 finals after scoring four goals against Sweden in the play-offs.

Bayern Munich legend Franz Beckenbauer has said that Franck Ribery is one of the best players he has seen in recent times.

Franck Ribery has been the source of concern for Bayern Munich after he failed to shake hands with the Bayern Munich manager Jupp Heynckes following the draw with Basel in the Champions League a few weeks ago. However, he was extremely crucial for Bayern Munich in the match against Schalke recently, as his two goals helped Bayern Munich win the match comfortably. In doing so, Franck Ribery also helped Bayern Munich stay in touch with the leaders Borussia Dortmund at the top of the table.

In the 23 appearances Franck Ribery has made for Bayern Munich this season, the Frenchman has already secured 10 goals. It is one of the reasons for Bayern Munich legend Franz Beckenbauer to say that Franck Ribery is a phenomenon. After a string of disappointing results both in the domestic campaign and in Europe, Bayern Munich returned to the form just at the right time following this 2-0 win over Schalke during the weekend. Even though they have not reduced the advantage Borussia Dortmund have at the top of the table, it at least keeps them in touch with the leaders.

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