Former Bayern Munich and French forward, Franck Ribery has officially announced his retirement from football at the age of 39.
Franck Ribery who made the announcement on Friday 21st October 2022, on his official social media handle, is retiring after scoring 124 goals, 182 assists in 425 games for Bayern from 2007-2019, winning the Champions League in 2013 and nine Bundesliga titles.
Ribery joined Fiorentina before moving to Salernitana last summer, helping the club avoid relegation by one point but he has not featured since the opening day loss to Roma. His retirement had been rumoured for several weeks.
The Frenchman joined Bayern for £17m from Marseille in June 2007, a year after being part of the France side that finished runner-up to Italy at the 2006 World Cup.
A three-time French player of the year, he recorded 16 goals and 25 assists in 81 caps for his country before announcing his retirement from international duty in 2014 after missing the World Cup with a back injury.
After 12 successful years in Munich, he left alongside Dutch winger Arjen Robben as Bayern were crowned champions of Germany for a seventh successive season.
Full Statement by Franck Ribery On his Retirement reads:
“For me, football is passion, fun, sacrifice, dedication. Football is my life. When I look back on my career today. I am proud and more than happy about what I was able to experience.
I’m happy about every person I’ve met on my journey, proud of every club whose shirt I’ve worn, happy about every goal, every assist, every dribble, every tackle and every title. Even though I am sad that this chapter is over, there are many more reasons to be happy on this, my journey.
I know who I have to thank for all this. For one, you, my fans. It hasn’t always been an easy road. There were also difficult moments when you always stood behind me unconditionally. You motivated me, you pushed me and you showed me love. Thank you for that.
On the other hand, my endless thanks go to my family, who are the most important thing in the world to me. Without you, nothing would have been possible, without you I would never have had the strength to achieve all this and without you, everything I have achieved would have been worth nothing. I love you!
I notice how it is becoming increasingly difficult for me to write this text, to publish this post. One thing is clear, football will remain a big part of my life. I hope that you will continue to support me in the future as you have always done.
I miss it already. The ball, the pitch, the stadiums, you fans. And yet I know that I will always be close to it all. Also in the future. Football and me. That simply belongs together. And always will,” he said.