FC Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery, who was voted the Bundesliga’s best player during the first half of the season by his colleagues in a poll in kicker magazine, believes he is one of the best players in the world, despite being snubbed in this year’s list of nominees for the Ballon d’Or.

"I know there are not a lot of players with my quality in this world," Ribery 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."

The France international believes it is more important to be recognized by his peers. "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," he said.

The 29-year-old also suggested that he should have won the Player of the Year award in France, his home country. "[Real Madrid forward] 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?"