• Football

Ribery 'feels sad' over Ibrahimovic Ballon d'Or omission

ESPN staff
December 11, 2013
Zlatan Ibrahimovic is unlucky not to be in the reckoning for the Ballon d'Or, believes Franck Ribery © AP
Enlarge

Franck Ribery has admitted he is "a little bit sad" for Zlatan Ibrahimovic that the Paris Saint-Germain striker will miss out on the Ballon d'Or this year.

Ribery, 30, joined Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo on the three-man shortlist for the honour when it was announced earlier this week meaning Ibrahimovic, 32, cannot pick up football's biggest individual prize for 2013.

Media in France had suggested the Swedish international might squeeze himself into the reckoning after some brilliant individual displays this season, that have followed on the back of him finishing top scorer in Ligue 1 as PSG took the French title last term.

"I'm happy, satisfied for myself, the club, and for my whole family," Ribery, who was central to Bayern's treble win last season, told RTL. "I'm a bit sad for Ibrahimovic because he remains a great player, he did some great things with Paris Saint-Germain. It's good for me to be among the three. We'll see. We're going to cross our fingers."

The winner of the award, which Messi has won the last four years, will be revealed in Zurich on January 13.

Download ESPN's new UK sport app, a fresh and powerful new way to follow your favourite UK sports news, scores and video.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd
ESPN staff Close

ABOUT COOKIES

To help make this website better, to improve and personalize your experience and for advertising purposes, are you happy to accept cookies and other technologies.

More Info Here Cookie Choices