Bayern Munich midfielder Franck Ribery is hoping a strong season will give him a chance of being crowned European Footballer of the Year for 2008, but says comparisons with countryman Zinedine Zidane are premature.

The French playmaker has been in fine form for the Bavarian giants this season, and recent performances against Anderlecht in the UEFA Cup and Karlsruhe in the league prompted Bayern goalkeeper Oliver Kahn to compare his team-mate to former France hero Zidane.

"If I stay at this level until the end of the season with Bayern and if I have a good Euro 2008, this could really become a great year for me," said Ribery.

"I am thinking of the Ballon D'Or. For me, that would be a dream. And it is something I am going to try to win.

"I am going to do everything to win it one day. I am really thinking about it."

Referring to the comparisons with Zidane, he told French newspaper L'Equipe: "I am still a notch below him.

"I hope to [have a career like Zidane's]. I will do everything I can. At the moment, I am happy with what I am doing.

"I am still far off Zidane but I still have a lot of years in front of me."

Ribery made his name with some eye-catching performances at Marseille before moving to Germany in the summer, but the 24-year-old was dismissive of the lure of Ligue 1 as he ruled out of a move back to France.

"I can't envisage being at a French club, even Lyon," he said.

"I am not thinking of going back to France. Everything is so structured and well-organised over here."

Tom Williams / Eurosport