Nicolas Batum, a French basketball player for the Portland Trail Blazers, not only follows basketball but also keeps up with football news. He expressed his thoughts on the Ballon d’Or and the performance of football players.
Batum was particularly impressed by Paris Saint-Germain’s 4-0 victory against Lyon in Ligue 1. When asked about the next Ballon d’Or, he firmly supported Franck Ribéry, stating on the FIFA website, “Normally and without dispute, it should be Franck Ribéry. For me, it can only be him!” Batum emphasized that the winner should be the one who contributes to making his team successful, drawing parallels with basketball in the NBA.
Regarding Lionel Messi, Batum was critical, mentioning Messi’s injury and not having a great season by his standards. Batum noted that Messi has set such high standards that any deviation from extraordinary performance is noticeable. According to Batum, the 2013 Ballon d’Or should be between Cristiano Ronaldo and Franck Ribéry, and he excluded Messi from the contenders.
It’s interesting to see a basketball player like Nicolas Batum sharing his perspective on football and the Ballon d’Or, showcasing the cross-sport appreciation and analysis of athletic achievements.
