Arsenal man wins unwanted Ballon de Platre award after horror year in 2013.
Arsenal midfielder Abou Diaby has won the Ballon de Platre award – the title for the French football player who spent the most time injured in 2013.
The Gunners star has been sidelined with a cruciate knee ligament injury since March, and has had a dreadfully unlucky career on the fitness front to date.
Diaby won the award from BeFoot.com readers with a landslide 72% of votes, with Paul Baysse of AS Saint Etienne second with 14% and Olympique Lyonnais playmaker Yoann Gourcuff – winner of the 2012 edition – third with 9%.
All told, 2013 has not been the greatest of years for Abou Diaby, but in his sporadic moments on the pitch he demonstrated how valuable he can be with immense contributions.
Perhaps 2014 will finally offer him the chance to prove to football fans everywhere his true value to both Arsenal and France.
