Ribery announces retirement from football
Former Bayern München winger Franck Ribery has officially announced his retirement from football.
Bayern München legend Franck Ribery has decided to hang up his boots at the age of 39 due to consistent knee problems.
"The ball stops. The feelings inside me do not," stated the Frenchman, who most recently played for Salernitana in Italy, in an Instagram post.
"Dear friends, dear fans. I wanted to make this short video to tell you that the time has come for me for me to retire from playing football. With you and your support, I was able to make my dream become a reality, and I think you from the bottom of my heart. The fact that I was able to play at a high level for almost twenty years and to have this career is also because, even at difficult times, you were always there. You have given me the strength to liv this incredible adventure," he added in a video.
"But today, despite the efforts I have made in the last three months, the pain has only worsened, and the doctors are clear. I have no choice, but to stop playing. 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 the time to say thank you to all those without whom I would not be who I am: First of all my family. Without you, nothing would have been possible. Obviously the players and coaches as well, with whom I have shared incredible moments and enormous highs, and not forgetting the managers and the staff of the clubs where I have had the chance to play. 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 I will see you soon for the beginning of a new beautiful chapter. I love tou and thank you again. See you soon!"
The 39-year-old winger featured in 425 games for Bayern in all tournaments, racking up 124 goals and 182 assists.
Among other things, Ribery won the Bundesliga nine times, the DFB-Pokal six times and the Champions League once.