"I never said that I was the
best player in the world...I always said that I was well-placed to win the Ballon d'Or. I have always had a lot of respect for the other players...It is not necessary to say who is the best
best player in the world, but who has an advantage, and I was carried along by this hope...All the players nominated had the possibility of winning this prize. Me, I have had this possibility and this privilege, but all the nominees had the qualities to win the award.''
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