Ribery: I deserve to win Ballon d'Or

Posted Friday, November 15, 2013 by YAHOO Sport

Bayern Munich attacker Franck Ribery says he deserves to win this year's Ballon d'Or over fellow frontrunners Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Frenchman starred in 2013 as the Bavarians stormed to a Bundesliga title win, lifted the DFB-Pokal and became European champion, and as the club started the current campaign under new coach Pep Guardiola in terrific fashion too.

The France international will have a tough time topping Barcelona's Messi and Real Madrid's Ronaldo, but he is confident that his improvements over the past 12 months have earned him the accolade over the more favored Liga duo.

"I try not to think about the Ballon d'Or," the 30-year-old told L'Equipe. "But my wife has already prepared the space above the fireplace in the living room. I do get a lot of belief from her and all of Bayern. I do not know if I will win, however I think I deserve it.

"Before I was a good player, now I think I'm the best."

Ribery is expected to feature in France's World Cup playoff qualifiers with Ukraine in the upcoming week, starting with the away leg on Friday.