FIFA Ballon d'Or 2013 Predictions: Michel Platini Backs Franck Ribery For Award

Lionel Messi has won the last four Ballon d'Or trophies and many believe that a fifth straight may be on its way. Most years, most pundits would likely pick Cristiano Ronaldo to dethrone him, if there was such a thing. However, this year seems to be different as another major contender continues to build anticipate as the top contender for the award.
That man is Franck Ribery and he has already gained a tremendous amount of support for his Ballon d'Or hopes.
First Laurent Blanc claimed he was fit to win the award. Then Real Madrid's sporting director Zinedane Zidane threw his support behind Ribery (and not his own player Ronald). Now UEFA President Michel Platini has thrown his support behind Ribery. While the above are all Frenchman, it is becoming increasingly clear that Ribery is become a major contender for the top individual honor in all of soccer. 

"He is a very serious candidate to win the Ballon d'Or," Platini said according to Goal.com. "He was already voted the best player in Europe in August. Admittedly, that was a different election, though."

Ribery was the winner of the Best Player in Europe award and even took down both Messi and Ronaldo in the process. However, Messi and Ronaldo both lost last year's same contest to Andres Iniesta after he led Spain to the Euro 2012.

Admittedly, this year is ideal for Ribery as his club Bayern Munich won the all-important treble of the Domestic League and Cup and the Champions League trophy. Meanwhile his most immediate rivals have failed to win any major awards; Mess did win the Spanish League title with Barcelona but little else