Bayern Munich midfielder Franck Ribéry has been voted the 2012/13 UEFA Best Player in Europe by a panel of leading football journalists in Monaco, ahead of Barcelona’s Lionel Messi and Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo.
KING OF EUROPE! Franck #Ribéry is European Player of the Year! #MiaSanFranckRibéry pic.twitter.com/cFiBgMZdyw
— FC Bayern München (@FCBayern) August 29, 2013
Not a surprise as Ribéry was superb last season as Bayern won the treble, scoring 11 goals and assisting a further 18 in all competitions.
In accepting the award Ribery said:
“It’s always nice to win this trophy; it’s a special moment for me to be here this evening. I want to thank all my team-mates and the directors at Bayern, and the supporters. We’ve had a fantastic year, and a big hello to all my family, my children and my wife.”
Reflecting on last season memorable campaign Ribery added:
“It was an extraordinary year for us, we’d wanted that trophy for so long and to play at Wembley was fantastic. I think Bayern deserved to win the cup after such a long time.”
The trio of Messi, Ribéry and Ronaldo had formed the shortlist after their selection by a poll of journalists from each of UEFA’s member national associations. Fifty-two of the 53 journalists chosen to participate in today’s by the European Sports Media association were present, with the vote from the journalist representing Lithuania cast by email to the independent auditors, Ernst & Young.