David Alaba opens up on special friendship with 'big brother' Franck Ribery
David Alaba has talked about his special friendship with former teammate Franck Ribery, whom he sees as a big brother.
Bayern München star David Alaba has hailed 'big brother' Franck Ribery for the impact he has had on his career.
When Alaba first arrived in Munich as a 16-year-old, he was taken under the wing of the French winger, who is around nine years older.
"He's my big brother," Alaba said in a live chat with basketball star Kyle Kuzma on Instagram and added:
"When I became part of the first team, he was one the first persons to come to me. He always looked after me, tried to push me and gave me advice. He was always there for me. I'm very grateful and thankful for that to this day.
"When you're a young player, and a big player like him comes over to you, says you can sit next to him in the dressing room and always takes care of you, it's a big deal."
Asked what he learned from Ribery, who left Bayern to join Fiorentina last summer, Alaba responded:
"To stay hungry. He never stopped worked hard and never stopped grinding.
"He loves football, he loves what he's doing, and he always gives everything.
"He taught me to do the same. I'm trying to give everything in every training and game to improve and get better and to stay hungry and humble."