Nicolas Batum, the renowned basketball player currently competing in the NBA Western Conference and a European champion with the French national team, recently suffered a finger injury. Despite his basketball career, Batum also has a passion for football and avidly follows the sport. In an interview with Footmercato.net, he expressed his admiration for PSG striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Batum admires Ibrahimovic’s unique persona and unapologetic approach to the game, stating, “I’m a fan, I love it! He does his thing, he is him and will remain him. It has never changed and will never change. He has his detractors and his fans, but he is who he is. I’m a big fan of Zlatan.”
When questioned about the Ballon d’Or award, Batum shared his opinion that the trophy should have been awarded to Franck Ribéry, although he acknowledged Cristiano Ronaldo’s impressive performances in late 2013.
Batum believed Ribéry deserved the Ballon d’Or due to his exceptional season with Bayern Munich and the team’s success. Despite Ronaldo’s undeniable talent, Batum felt that Ribéry’s overall contributions warranted the prestigious award. However, he recognized that people often remember the most recent performances, which may have influenced the voting in Ronaldo’s favor.
Reflecting on his disappointment for Ribéry, Batum emphasized that while Ronaldo’s win was not undeserved, he personally believed Ribéry deserved the honor more due to his consistent excellence throughout the season.
