Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness has revealed that he would be at a loss for words should Cristiano Ronaldo pip Franck Ribery to the Ballon d'Or award.
Both stars are said to be frontrunners for the game's most coveted individual prize - along with Lionel Messi - for their exploits in 2013, with the Portuguese hitting 66 goals for club and country, while the 30-year-old helped the Bavarians to an unprecedented treble last season.
Ronaldo is thought to have established himself as favourite for the gong due to his four-goal haul in sealing Portugal's World Cup ticket over Sweden last month, which Hoeness describes as "one game".
Ribery was crowned UEFA's Best Player in Europe in September, and the 61-year-old says "nothing has changed" on the field since then.
Speaking to Bild, the German chief said: "Ronaldo has, of course, contributed significantly to the fact that Portugal has qualified for the World Cup.
"But I would have absolutely no understanding of the situation if Franck did not win the Ballon d'Or after being named [UEFA's] Best Player in Europe. There is a whole year to be judged - not just one game.
"I feel that public opinion has shifted. But, in the meantime, for me, nothing has changed. There can be only Ribery as the winner [of the Ballon d'Or]."
The winner of the award is scheduled to be announced at a FIFA ceremony in Zurich next month.
Shane Callaghan
