Ribery scoops 2nd award in 24 hours

Less than 24 hours after being voted player of the tournament at the Club World Cup, France's Franck Ribery was again named Man of the Year in Germany.

After he also won the title in 2008, German soccer magazine Kicker voted the 30-year-old France star its man of 2013 for his outstanding displays for Bayern Munich.

The France winger joins some prestigious previous winners including Borussia Dortmund coach Juergen Klopp in 2012 and Germany boss Joachim Loew, the 2011 recipient.

On Saturday, Ribery picked up the top player award at the CWC as Bayern beat host Raja Casablanca 2-0 in the Marrakech final to collect its fifth title of 2013.

Ribery was a key factor in Bayern becoming the first German team to win the treble of Champions League, Bundesliga and German Cup last season, as well as the UEFA Super Cup. In August, Ribery was voted European Player of the Year.

The 2013 winner of the Balloon d'Or will be announced in Zurich on Jan 13 and Ribery has been shortlisted along with superstars Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Having joined Bayern from Olympique Marseille in July 2007, Ribery has not always had an easy time at Bayern and struggled under previous coach Louis van Gaal.

"Of course, I have my own style, many individuals need their freedom and that particularly applies to me," he told Monday's edition of Kicker.

(China Daily 12/24/2013 page23)