Ribery: People in France seem to prefer Messi & Ronaldo for Ballon d'Or

The Bleus ace has voiced his disappointment that he does not receive the same adulation as the star duo - even within his homeland

Franck Ribery feels that people within his native France would rather Barcelona forward Lionel Messi orReal Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo win the Fifa Ballon d'Or instead of him.

The 30-year-old winger is one of the main candidates to win the prestigious award following his successful 2012-13 campaign with treble winners Bayern Munich, yet he is under the impression that his compatriots would prefer to see one of the Liga stars triumph.

"Am I one of the outsiders for the Ballon d'Or? I could probably do with a bit more support," Ribery was quoted as saying by Le 10 Sport.

"I get the impression that the people in France seem to prefer Messi and Ronaldo and I really wonder why.

"I have been very strong in 2013, I was consistent all year and I won a lot of trophies. It would be a great honour for me, for my family and for my kids."

The 23-man shortlist for the Ballon d'Or will be reduced to three players in early December, with the winner to be announced on January 13.