Michel Platini, UEFA President, Questions Ballon d'Or Voting After Franck Ribery Finishes Third Behind Ronaldo, Messi

After Cristiano Ronaldo won his second Ballon d'Or Award ahead of finalists Lionel Messi and Franck Ribery Monday, UEFA President Michel Platini voiced his displeasure with the current voting process. As it currently stands, select European journalists along with coaches and captains of international teams own votes that are put towards selecting the FIFA Ballon d'Or Award winner on a yearly basis. Platini -- who won three Ballon d'Or awards as a member of Juventus and is regarded as one of the best footballers in history -- said shortly after the award was handed to Cristiano Ronaldo that even though the Real Madrid star is a great winner of the award, the Ballon d'Or traditionally takes championships into account.

“Cristiano Ronaldo is a very good Ballon d'Or winner but, if it continues like that, we'll come back next year and it will be Messi or Ronaldo and, the year after, Ronaldo or Messi,” the 58-year-old UEFA boss said. “For 50 years, the Ballon d'Or took into account trophies won on the pitch but something has changed since FIFA took it over. That a Spanish player didn't win in 2010 after the World Cup and that Franck would not be recognized even though he won everything, that poses a problem.”

Leading Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich to an impressive treble last season that included title-raising moments at the UEFA Champions League, DFB-Pokal and German league championship, Franck Ribery was viewed as the early favorite to claim soccer's most prestigious individual award. Thanks to the current voting system however, most felt that Ronaldo's individual statistical achievements outweighed all other categories, ultimately giving CR7 his first award since 2008. Following the announcement, Ribery left unannounced and did not interview with reporters but did speak with German paper Bild later in the day.

Noting that his ultimate goal is to help his Bundesliga side win titles, the 30-year-old superstar also indicated that he would have liked to be named the 2013 FIFA Ballon d'Or winner but is not bitter toward the decision.

“I am not an egotist and this is not my goal,” Ribery said. “I would prefer to win everything with Bayern again and lift the World Cup with France. That is important. Of course I would have liked to win, but that's okay. The Bayern players, and myself especially, are just proud to have been represented here. The accolade would have been great, for the fans, the club and my wife, but it's not that important for me. I am just delighted that it's not an issue now.”