The race for the next Ballon d’Or was highly anticipated in January 2014, with 23 players nominated to succeed Lionel Messi. Although several contenders were in the spotlight, Messi was considered a strong candidate to retain the title. The opinions were diverse, and some notable figures, such as Didier Deschamps and Zinedine Zidane, expressed their support for Franck Ribery.
However, Brazilian football legend Ronaldo, also known as Il Fenemeno, had a different perspective. He acknowledged Ribéry’s impressive performances but leaned towards Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as the top contenders.
“There is also Ribéry who is playing well at the moment, who won the Champions League. This year, I don’t know but… I think this year, it will be Messi again. A spectacular player. Cristiano Ronaldo is also an excellent player. Both of them are really above the rest, and the others are behind…” stated Ronaldo.
It’s worth noting that only one African player, Yaya Touré of Manchester City, made the list of 23 nominees. However, he was not considered the favorite for the prestigious distinction. Ultimately, Cristiano Ronaldo won the 2013 Ballon d’Or, ending Lionel Messi’s four-year streak.
