Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery claims Cristiano Ronaldo is at an advantage in the voting for the Ballon d'Or, after Fifa decided to extend the voting window.
Ribery was initially the favourite to win the award, having been a key part in Bayern's unprecedented treble-winning season last year.
The Frenchman was also voted UEFA's player of the season for 2012/2013, another accolade which reinforced his credentials as a frontrunner for the Ballon d'Or.
Voting for the award was supposed to close on November 15, but Fifa extended the deadline until November 29 due to a low turnout.
During that time Ronaldo hit a rich vein of form that included a match-winning hat-trick for Portugal in a World Cup qualification play-off against Sweden, a result which secured his country's place at next summer's Brazil finals.
“It's the first time they have done that”, Ribery told Bild.
“It's a shame and a leaves me at a disadvantage, but I'm not worried.”
Since the extension of the voting deadline, Ronaldo has become the favourite to lift the Ballon d'Or for the second time in his career.
Ribery, who has never won the award, is currently with Bayern Munich in Morocco, as they aim to win the Club World Championship.
The German champions will meet Raja Casablanca in Saturday's final, who qualifed as national champions of host country Morocco.
