The former West Germany international has lamented the fact that there has been a groundswell of support for the Portuguese because of his World Cup play-off heroics
Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness claims it would be unjust if Cristiano Ronaldo pips Franck Ribery to this year’s Ballon d’Or on the back of “one game”.
Ribery was considered the clear favourite for the prestigious Fifa award on account of the integral role he played in the Bavarians’ historic treble success last season.
However, Hoeness now fears that the groundswell of support that accompanied Ronaldo’s hat-trick in Portugal’s dramatic World Cup play-off victory over Sweden in Solna in November could – wrongfully, as the 61-year-old sees it – tip the balance in favour of the prolific Real Madrid attacker.
“Ronaldo has, of course, contributed significantly to the fact that Portugal has qualified for the World Cup,” the Bayern supremo told Sport Bild.
“But I would have absolutely no understanding of the situation if Franck did not win the Ballon d’Or after being named [Uefa’s] Best Player in Europe. There is a whole year to be judged – not just one game.
“I feel that public opinion has shifted. But, in the meantime, for me, nothing has changed. There can be only Ribery as the winner [of the Ballon d’Or].”