Ribery's Jab at Cristiano: The 2013 Ballon d'Or Wound Reopens

The Ballon d'Or, an award that sparks heated debates every year, has once again become the center of a controversy that, though old, has resurfaced with unusual force. Recent statements by Cristiano Ronaldo regarding the criteria for winning the prestigious award have prompted a sharp retort from Franck Ribéry, thus reopening the deep wound left by the controversial 2013 edition, an episode the French footballer seemingly can't forget.

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The spark was ignited by Cristiano Ronaldo, who, in a tone that left little doubt about his stance, asserted that "the winner of the Champions League should win the Ballon d'Or." The Portuguese star's statement, though general, quickly found a direct and ironic response. Franck Ribéry, via social media or in an interview, launched a poisoned dart that left no doubt about its target or the memory it evoked: "So, you need to win the Champions League to win the Ballon d'Or?" A rhetorical question that, for anyone familiar with recent football history, instantly referred back to the voting more than a decade ago.

Indeed, the year 2013 is a ghost that haunts Ribery. That season, the French winger was the key figure for a historic Bayern Munich that won absolutely everything: the Bundesliga, German Cup, and the Champions League, achieving a dream treble. Ribéry's numbers that campaign were notable, with 11 goals and 23 assists in all competitions (though only one goal in the Champions League). However, that year's Ballon d'Or went to Cristiano Ronaldo, who, despite posting stratospheric goal-scoring figures (55 goals and 13 assists), did not win any team titles with Real Madrid that season. The decision was further controversial due to the last-minute extension of the voting period, which allowed the inclusion of the World Cup play-off where Ronaldo shone with a decisive hat-trick.

The feeling of injustice has accompanied Ribery ever since. For him and many analysts, his 2013 season met all the requirements to be recognized as the best, emphasizing the importance of collective success in a team sport. The fact that this debate is rekindled again and again demonstrates how ingrained the discussion about the balance between individual performance and collective titles is in the weighting of an award of this magnitude. For Ribéry, it's clear that time has not healed that wound.

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This recent exchange of statements serves as a powerful reminder of the passion and controversy surrounding the Ballon d'Or. It highlights that, for some protagonists, past decisions, especially those perceived as unfair, are never fully forgotten. Ribéry's "jab" at Cristiano is more than just a simple response; it's the voice of a footballer who, as the years pass, continues to defend his legacy and his perception of what should have been. The debate about the 2013 Ballon d'Or, it seems, is far from over.