re: 2012/2013 Bayern Munchen Season Long Thread - Treble Edition

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Bayer Munich midfielder Franck Ribery says he is not worried about being snubbed for the Ballon d'Or nominations as he knows he is one of the world's top players. Ribery, 29, has been in impressive form this season and was voted as the best player during the first half of the season by his Bundesliga colleagues in a kicker poll in December. The German paper also currently ranks him as the best player of the season so far. However, there was no place for the France international in this year's list of nominees for the Ballon d'Or, yet Ribery claims he has stopped worrying about such things. "I know there are not a lot of players with my quality in this world," he told kicker. "In the past it would annoy me to not play a role in the Ballon d'Or election, I am past that now. It is not important for me anymore." Ribery believes the respect from his peers outweighs that of any award, while he also feels he should have been recognised for his contributions during the past year back home in France. "I talk to opponents, in Germany and Europe, and they very often tell me how much their boss tells them to take me out of the game. What is said outside does not matter," Ribery said. "Karim Benzema has been elected Player Of The Year in France. That's good and I am delighted for him. But tell me, looking back at 2012, what else should I have done to win that title?" During last summer Ribery expressed his fears of never winning a big title, yet his opinion has now changed thanks to Bayern's current crop of players. "We have a squad that can potentially win everything. It is a great group of people with a fantastic companionship. This year we can win a big title, even the Champions League," he said. "Bayern are among the top three clubs in the world. In every perspective. Regarding structures and organisation, it is the best club in the world. Bayern is Bayern, incomparable."

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