Now it’s officially over for him too!
Franck Ribéry (39) ends his football career. The longtime Bayern star (2007 to 2019) has to stop because of persistent knee problems. The Frenchman announced this on Friday afternoon via his social media channels. A bitter conclusion.
Ribéry released a video statement showing some of the best scenes from his career. He wrote: “The ball rests. The feelings inside me don’t. Thank you everyone for this great adventure.”
During his time at Bayern, the winger was German champion nine times, won the DFB Cup six times and won the Champions League once (2013). In total, he made 425 competitive appearances for Bayern (124 goals/182 assists). An absolute club legend.
Before him, his long-time strike partner Arjen Robben (38) ended his career in the summer of 2021. Now the time of the congenial duo that once shook up the Bundesliga as “Robbery” is finally over.
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Most recently, Ribéry ran for US Salernitana in Serie A. He played his last game on August 14 and has not played since due to knee pain. In the past few weeks there have been increasing rumors about the end of the career of the 81-time national player. Now it’s official.
In the video that he uploaded, Ribéry explained in detail why he had to end his career now and also thanked his companions and fans.
The entire statement: “Dear friends, dear fans, I wanted to tell you with this short video that the time has come for me to end my football career. With you and your support I was able to realize my dream and I thank you from the bottom of my heart. The fact that I was able to play at a high level for almost twenty years and experience this career is also due to the fact that you were always there for me, even in difficult times. You have given me the strength to live this incredible adventure.
But now I have no choice but to stop playing soccer because the pain in my knee has only gotten worse despite the efforts I’ve been making over the past three months. The doctors agree that I have no choice but to stop gambling. So I have to end my career as a professional player…
This is the end of a beautiful chapter in my life… but it is also time to say thank you to all those without whom I would not be who I am: first and foremost my family, without whom nothing would be possible would have been; but of course also to the players and coaches with whom I have shared incredible moments and tremendous highlights, not to mention the managers and staff at the clubs I have had the chance to play for.
This is the end of a chapter, my chapter as a player, but not the end of my professional story, you can be sure of that. So see you soon at the beginning of a new beautiful chapter… Love you guys and thank you again see you soon.”
The first reactions were not long in coming. Bayern CEO Oliver Kahn (53) paid tribute to Ribéry via Twitter: “You came to Munich as a filou, surprised me one time or another with the bucket of water and are now an absolute club icon. I wish you all the best for your future, you always have a home at FC Bayern. Servus, legend!“.
FC Bayern wrote: “Our legend forever. Thank you Franck.” Numerous other companions commented on Ribéry’s Instagram post. David Alaba wrote: “Congratulations and thanks for everything! We had unforgettable times together! Madness.” Thomas Müller kept it short: “Thank you for everything”. James Rodriguez, Kevin-Prince Boateng, Luca Toni, Dusan Vlahovic and Mehdi Benatia also commented on the post, among others.
