The legend of French football Franck Ribéry, invited as an honored guest to the Uzbekistan Futsal Super Cup, took part in a press conference and gave detailed answers to questions from the media and fans. In a buoyant mood, he openly expressed his views on impressions of Tashkent, the growth of football in the country, as well as on the criteria of the Ballon d’Or selection.
Question: Are you satisfied with your visit to Uzbekistan? Your impressions about our country?
Franck Ribéry: “Before my arrival in Uzbekistan, Kevin contacted me. My impressions are very great: I witnessed a very high-level game. We saw with our own eyes and became convinced that Uzbekistan is a country developing very fast. I sincerely congratulate you on obtaining a World Cup berth. Here I see great eagerness in the youth — your possibilities are immense, there is no doubt about it.”
During the briefing, Ribéry also touched on structural reforms of the national team and the dynamics in youth football, adding that “stability in infrastructure and preparation will further strengthen the results.”
Question: Your opinion about the principles for determining the Ballon d’Or winner? Who do you think is more deserving this season?
Franck Ribéry: “The question is quite complicated. It would be very correct to award the ‘Ballon d’Or’ taking into account not only the trophies and achievements won, but also the quality of play throughout the whole season. In this season, in my opinion, Ousmane Dembélé is more deserving of this award.”
Ribéry’s views revealed two important directions for the fans:
— a high appraisal of Tashkent and Uzbekistan’s football, and confidence in the energy of the youth;
— that in the Ballon d’Or criteria it is necessary to value not only titles, but also the quality of play and seasonal impact.
In short, the legend added inspiration to the evening in Tashkent and a new point of view to the discussions: if the pace of development is maintained, results on the big stage are not far off; in the reading of the Ballon d’Or, the debates around Dembélé’s name will heat up even more.
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