Franck Henry Pierre Ribéry (French pronunciation:[fʁɑ̃kʁibeʁi]; born 7 April 1983) is a French former professionalfootballer who primarily played as awinger, preferably on the left side, and was known for his pace, energy, skill, and precise passing.[2] He is regarded as one of the best players of his generation and one of the greatest wingers in the history of the sport.[3]
Ribéry's career began in 1989 as a youth player for local hometown club FC Conti Boulogne. He left the club after seven years to join professional outfitLille, but departed the club after three years after having difficulties adjusting. In 1999, Ribéry joinedUS Boulogne, where he played for two years. After spending two more years in the amateur divisions with two clubs (Alès andBrest), Ribéry earned a move toLigue 1 clubMetz in 2004. After six months with the club, Ribéry moved to Turkey in January 2005 to joinGalatasaray, where he won theTurkish Cup. After six months at Galatasaray, he departed the club in controversial fashion in order to return to France to joinMarseille. Ribéry spent two seasons at the club, helping OM reach the final of theCoupe de France in back-to-back seasons.
In 2007, Ribéry joined German club Bayern Munich for a then club-record fee of €25 million. With Bayern, he won nineBundesliga titles (at the time a Bundesliga record), sixDFB-Pokal, oneUEFA Champions League and oneFIFA Club World Cup, which include fivedoubles and onetreble, amounting to a then club record of 24 titles over twelve seasons. His form for Bayern in the club's 2012–13 treble winning season saw him nominated alongsideLionel Messi andCristiano Ronaldo on the three-man shortlist for the2013 FIFA Ballon d'Or. During his long spell at Bayern, Ribéry was also known for his fruitful partnership with fellow wingerArjen Robben—together they were affectionately referred to by the nicknameRobbery.[4][5] He left Bayern in summer 2019, and subsequently joined Italian sideFiorentina, while Robben retired from football. After two years in Florence, Ribery joinedSalernitana, the final club of his career, before retiring in 2022.
In a certain way this accident helped me. As a child it motivated me. God gave me this difference. The scars are part of me, and people will just have to take me the way I am.
—Ribéry commenting on the car accident he suffered in 1985 aged two years old.[8]
Ribéry was born on 7 April 1983 inBoulogne-sur-Mer, Pas-de-Calais and raised in alow-income neighbourhood on the fringes of the city.[9] When he was two years old, he and his family were involved in a car accident in his hometown, colliding with a lorry; he suffered serious facial injuries that resulted in more than one hundred stitches and which left two long scars down the right side of his face, and another across his brows.[citation needed] Prior to joiningStade Brestois in 2003, he worked as aconstruction worker with his father, which Ribéry referred to as a "learning experience".[10]
Ribéry began his football career at age six playing in the youth section of amateur clubFC Conti de Boulogne-sur-Mer.[11][12] After a seven-year stay, in 1996, he joined professional outfitLille, who were playing in thesecond division. While at Lille, Ribéry excelled athletically, but developed academic and behavioural problems, which led to Lille releasing him.[11][13] In 2012, during a press conference ahead of Bayern Munich's Champions League tie against his former club Lille, Ribéry explained that he was released from the Lille academy after suffering a broken elbow and that Lille officials had previously wanted to drop him from the academy for being "too small".[14]
After leaving Lille, Ribéry returned to his hometown joining the biggest club in the city,US Boulogne. After spending a year in the reserves, he was promoted to the senior team. Ribéry only made four appearances in his debut season as Boulogne, who were playing in theCFA, the fourth division of French football, earned promotion to third-tierChampionnat National.[15] In his second season with the club, Ribéry appeared in 25 league matches converting five goals. Although Boulogne finished 17th, which meant a return to the fourth division, Ribéry's solid performances earned him a move to fellow National clubOlympique Alès.[16] In his only season at the club, Ribéry made 18 appearances scoring only one goal.[17]
Ribéry left the club in March due to problems with salary payments.[18] In April 2003 he was put on trial bySM Caen during a friendly match against Laval.[18] He also had an unsuccessful trial with Guingamp.[19] Following the season, despite finishing safe, Alès were relegated to the Division d'Honneur, the sixth division of French football, by theDNCG after the club declared bankruptcy.[20] In June Ribery signed withStade Brest, another Championnat National club. At Brest, Ribéry established himself as a premier player in the league appearing in 35 league matches scoring three goals.[21] Ribéry's performance and the team as a whole led to the club finishing second in the league, thus earning promotion toLigue 2.[12]
Despite his success with Brest, Ribéry sought to play inLigue 1, the top division ofFrench football. His dream came to fruition whenMetz's managerJean Fernandez took a liking to him and recruited him on afree transfer.[12] Ribéry only spent half a season at Metz, but impressed earning theUNFP Player of the Month in August 2004. He scored his only league goal for Metz on 6 November in the team's 1–1 draw withToulouse.[22] His stellar play on the right side of midfield led to Metz supporters comparing him toRobert Pires, a former Metz player.[13] After negotiations on an extension ended in a stalemate, Ribéry relocated to Turkey. There he joined Galatasaray, signing a three-and-a-half-year contract on 1 February 2005.[23]
At Galatasaray, Ribéry was brought in by managerGheorghe Hagi and appeared in 14 league matches[24] as the club finished in third-place position. While playing for the club, Galatasaray supporters nicknamed him "Ferraribery", in reference to his quick acceleration with the ball at his feet and also "Scarface" due to a large scar located on the right side of his face.[25][26][27][28] In theTurkish Cup, Ribéry was instrumental in the club's 5–1 thrashing of rivalsFenerbahçe in the competition'sultimate match. He scored the opening goal in the 16th minute and also assisted on another goal. Ribéry was later substituted in the 52nd minute with Galatasaray leading 3–1. The trophy was Ribéry's first major honour.[citation needed]
On 15 June 2005, Ribéry announced that he would be returning to France joining Ligue 1 clubMarseille on a five-year contract, plus reuniting with former manager Jean Fernandez. The move was considered surprising to Galatasaray as Ribéry had three years remaining on his contract after the club paid Metz €2 million to make the loan move permanent on 30 March.[29] Ribéry argued that he had not been paid his wages by the club and askedFIFA, the sport'sgoverning body, to invalidate his contract. He also confirmed that, at one point during the season, he was threatened with a baseball bat by his former agent and a Galatasaray director.[30] A day after announcing his move, Galatasaray officials and managerEric Gerets blasted the player for betraying the club and also announced their intent to ask FIFA to probe the situation.[29][31]
Ribéry playing forMarseille againstLille in October 2005
In July 2005, FIFA ruled in favour of Ribéry and dismissed Galatasaray's claims of the player being at fault. In response, the Turkish club announced their decision to challenge FIFA's ruling by appealing to the internationalCourt of Arbitration for Sport. On 25 April 2007, their appeal was dismissed by the court, who declared in a statement that Ribéry had terminated his contract with the Turkish club at the end of the 2004–05 season on just grounds, and that Galatasaray was therefore not entitled to any compensation. Galatasaray had sought €10 million in compensation from Marseille.[32]
Upon his arrival, Ribéry was handed the number 7 shirt and made his debut on 30 July 2005 in a 2–0 defeat toBordeaux collecting ayellow card.[33] On 17 September, he scored his first goal for the club in their 2–1 victory overTroyes.[34] Two weeks later, Ribéry netted goals in back-to-back matches in victories over his former club Metz andNice.[35][36] On 19 November, Ribéry scored thegame-winning goal in a 2–1 win overNantes.[37] The goal, scored from almost 35 metres (1,400 in) out, was later voted the goal of the season by supporters.[38]
Following Ribéry's success internationally at the2006 FIFA World Cup, a bidding war occurred in order to obtain his services with English clubArsenal initially offering €15 million for the player. However, Arsenal would be trumped by Spanish clubReal Madrid, who offered €30 million for the Frenchman, according to Marseille directors.[39] RivalsOlympique Lyonnais also sought Ribéry's services, with presidentPape Diouf accusingJean-Michel Aulas oftapping-up Ribéry after it was discovered that the Lyon chairman visited the France national team and Ribéry himself during the 2006 FIFA World Cup.[40] Diouf later threatened to report Aulas to theLigue de Football Professionnel (LFP) for his actions.[41] He went as far as to accuse Ribéry's former agent, Bruno Heiderscheid, of badly advising the player.[42] Marseille continued to declare him off-limits with nearly four years remaining on Ribéry's contract.[43] On 11 August 2006, Ribéry confirmed his intention to remain with the club for the2006–07 season.[44]
Ribéry's now heightened popularity saw increased speculation from writers and supporters that Marseille would finally win their first league title since the1991–92 season. He began the 2006–07 campaign on a high note, scoring in the club's second match of the season againstAuxerre in a 3–0 victory.[45] On 11 November 2006, Ribéry suffered a serious groin injury in Marseille's 1–0 loss to Lille.[46] The resulting injury meant Ribéry was out for a number of weeks, returning following the winter break. On his return in January, Ribéry netted two goals in another win over Auxerre.[47] The following month, Ribéry suffered a fractured foot in a match against Toulouse.[48] The injury required him to miss four league matches, as well as a Coupe de France match. In April 2007, Ribéry finished the league season by scoring in back-to-back weeks againstSochaux in a 4–2 win andMonaco in another victory.[49][50]
In the Coupe de France, Marseille again reached the final with Ribéry, for the second straight season, putting them there scoring the game-winning goal in a 3–0 semi-final win over Nantes. Inthe final, Marseille were heavy favourites over Sochaux, a team they had completely dominated just 12 days prior. However, Sochaux recorded an upset victory defeating Marseille 5–4 onpenalties after the match ended 2–2 followingextra time. Ribéry's final match with Marseille was a 1–0 win overSedan on the final match day of the season.[51] The victory secured second place for Marseille and was their best finish since finishing runner-up to Bordeaux during the1998–99 season. Following the season, Ribéry was awarded theFrench Player of the Year by French sports publicationFrance Football. The honour ended the four-year reign ofThierry Henry.[52]
On 7 June 2007, German clubBayern Munich announced that they had reached an agreement with Marseille for the transfer of Ribéry, with the player agreeing to a four-year deal and Bayern paying Marseille a then club-record €25 million.[53] Ribéry was given the number 7 shirt, which was freed up due to the retirement ofmidfielderMehmet Scholl at the end of the previous season.[54] He made his team debut one month later, scoring twice in an 18–0friendly drubbing ofMunich youth side FT Gern. Ribéry made his competitive debut for Bayern on 21 July 2007 againstWerder Bremen in the first round of thePremiere Ligapokal, scoring twice and also assisting on another in a 4–1 victory.[55] In the semifinals, he netted an early goal in a 2–0 win over defending championsVfB Stuttgart.[56] Due to an injury, Ribéry was unable to play in the final, which Bayern won.
Ribéry scored his first league goal for the club on 18 August in a 4–0 triumph over Bremen converting a penalty in the 31st minute.[57] He went scoreless in the league for almost two months before scoring a goal and providing the assist on Bayern's other goal in a 2–1 win overVfL Bochum.[58] A month later, Ribéry recorded this feat again, providing the assist on the opening goal scored byMiroslav Klose and scoring thegame winning goal in a 2–1 win overVfL Wolfsburg.[59] In theGerman Cup, he recorded two goals and provided four assists in five matches Bayern contested. He netted his first goal in the competition on 27 February 2008 in Bayern's win over inner-city rivals1860 Munich, with Ribéry converting the lone goal, a penalty, in the final minute of extra time.[60] In the semi-finals, Ribéry scored the opening goal in Bayern's 2–0 win over Wolfsburg, which resulted in the club qualifying for the final againstBorussia Dortmund.[61] In the DFB-Pokal final, Ribéry assisted onLuca Toni's opener in the 11th minute in a match Bayern won 2–1, thus claiming their 14th cup title.[62]
In theUEFA Cup, Bayern reached the semi-finals, with Ribéry scoring three goals in the competition, including one in the Germans' comeback win over Spanish clubGetafe in the quarter-finals. In total, Ribéry appeared in 46 matches scoring 16 goals and assisting on 17 goals as Bayern won theleague and cup double. For his efforts, on 8 June 2008, Ribéry was named the 2007–08 Footballer of the Year (Germany).[63] He was also named French Player of the Year for the second consecutive season.[64]
Due to tearing ligaments in his ankle atEuro 2008, Ribéry began the season with Bayern on 24 September 2008 in aDFB-Pokal match against1. FC Nürnberg, appearing as a substitute in the 65th minute.[65] He made his league debut three days later and, after a month of play, scored his first goal of the season in Bayern's 4–2 comeback win over VfL Wolfsburg.[66] Following the match, Ribéry scored in five-straight league matches, with the club going undefeated in that span. On 10 December, Ribéry capped the 2008 portion of the season by scoring a goal and providing assists on the other two in Bayern's 3–2 victory over Lyon in theChampions League. For his performances throughout 2008, Ribéry finished third behindCristiano Ronaldo andLionel Messi for theOnze d'Or. He was shortlisted by the French magazineFrance Football for the2008 Ballon d'Or award,[67] won by Cristiano Ronaldo.
Ribéry's 2009 debut saw Bayern earn a 5–1 German Cup win over VfB Stuttgart, with the player scoring and also providing an assist.[68] On 24 February 2009, he scored a double in the club's 5–0 win overSporting CP in the first leg of their Round of 16 clash.[69] Bayern were later eliminated 5–1 on aggregate by Spanish championsBarcelona in the next round, with Ribéry scoring a consolation goal in the second leg in a 1–1 draw at the Allianz.[70] In the league, Bayern failed to defend their Bundesliga title, despite suffering defeat only twice in their final 13 matches, losing out to Wolfsburg. Ribéry ended the season with 36 total appearances scoring 14 goals and providing 19 assists.[citation needed]
Following the 2008–09 season, constant speculation began to surface regarding Ribéry's availability on the transfer market. Despite Bayern presidentUli Hoeneß, executiveKarl-Heinz Rummenigge and new managerLouis van Gaal declaring that Ribéry would not be sold, numerous media outlets declared that English clubsChelsea andManchester United, Spanish clubs Barcelona and Real Madrid, and Italian outfitInter Milan had strong interest in the player, with many of the clubs willing to offer as much as €65 million for his services.[72][73][74][75] In order to quell the interest, Hoeneß declared that Ribéry would leave for nothing less than €100 million.[76]
Ribéry playing for Bayern in 2009
Ribéry began the2009–10 season struggling withtendonitis in his left knee, but was healthy enough to start the season scoring his first goal in a 5–1 victory against rivals Borussia Dortmund, converting a free kick.[77][78] The goal was notable in part due to Ribéry's celebration afterward; following his conversion, Ribéry ran across the field eluding several celebratory teammates and enthusiastically jumped into his manager Louis van Gaal's awaiting arms.[79] The mutual show of admiration ended speculation by the media of the two having a poor relationship.[80] In early October, the tendinitis began to affect his play, which resulted in Ribéry missing the rest of the year, as well as France's World Cup playoff tie with theRepublic of Ireland.[81]
On 23 January 2010, Ribéry returned to the team, making an appearance as a substitute in the club's 3–2 league win over Werder Bremen.[82] Ribéry's first goal of the new year came on 10 February scoring in Bayern's 6–2DFB-Pokal victory overSpVgg Greuther Fürth.[83] On 31 March, he scored the equalising goal in Bayern's 2–1 first leg win over English clubManchester United in theChampions League quarter-finals after converting afree kick, which deflected off ofstrikerWayne Rooney before going into the net.[84] In the club's ensuing match, Ribéry scored the opening goal in the team's 2–1 victory overSchalke 04.[85]
On 20 April, Ribéry was sent off by refereeRoberto Rosetti in the club's first leg Champions League semi-final against Lyon after being adjudged to have committed serious foul play on Lyon strikerLisandro López.[86] The expulsion resulted in Ribéry missing the second leg inLyon, which Bayern won to advance to theUEFA Champions League final.[87] On 28 April, Ribéry was handed a three-match suspension byUEFA's Control and Disciplinary Body for assault.[88] The suspension meant that Ribéry would miss the final. Following the ruling, Bayern Munich announced their intent to appeal the suspension.[89] On 5 May, the club's appeal was heard by the UEFA Appeals Body, which upheld Ribéry's ban meaning he would not only miss the final on 22 May, but also the next UEFA club competition fixture for which he is eligible.[90] Immediately after the ruling, however, Bayern responded by announcing their intention of appealing to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.[91]
On 15 May, Ribéry scored the third goal in Bayern's 4–0 win over Werder Bremen in the 2009–10 edition of theDFB-Pokal final. Two days later, Ribéry's appeal was heard by the Court of Arbitration for Sport and was dismissed meaning he was officially ruled out of the UEFA Champions League final against Inter Milan on 22 May.[92][93][94] Bayern Munich lost the match 2–0.[95] On 20 May, it was announced by German newspaperBild that Ribéry had agreed to a new five-year contract with Bayern Munich and would sign the contract upon his arrival inMadrid to watch his teammates contest the Champions League final.[96] On 23 May, the day after the final, the club officially confirmed the agreement.[97] The new deal tied Ribéry to the club until 2015 and, though there is uncertainty regarding the annual salary, it has been speculated that the new deal pays him an annual salary of €10 million a year, the highest annual salary ever awarded to a player in the club's history.[98]
Ribéry began the2010–11 season healthy for the first time since his debut season with the club. He was among the first World Cup players to arrive to pre-season training and made his season debut on 16 August 2010 in Bayern's 4–0 victory overGermania Windeck in the first round of theDFB-Pokal. In the match, Ribéry scored his first goal of the season.[99] Four days later, he assisted on the game-winning goal, scored byBastian Schweinsteiger, in the team's opening league match against VfL Wolfsburg.[100] On 21 September, Ribéry was forced to leave the team's 2–1 win over1899 Hoffenheim after suffering an ankle injury.[101] The injury was discovered to be serious and Ribéry was ruled out for four weeks.[102]
Despite the initial diagnosis, Ribéry missed two months and returned to the team on 14 November in a league match against1. FC Nürnberg.[103] A week later, Ribéry was criticised by manager Louis van Gaal for his performance in a friendly match againstSpVgg Unterhaching, which was organised to help Ribéry and other injured first-team players regain full fitness. Though Van Gaal was disappointed in several of his players' performances, he singled out Ribéry, stating, "he [Ribéry] didn't make any effort and showed no commitment."[104] Ribéry did, however, remain in contention to appear in the team's next league match againstBayer Leverkusen. He subsequently appeared in the match as a substitute in the 61st minute.[105] On 8 December, Ribéry scored a double in a 3–0 victory overSwiss clubBasel in the Champions League.[106]
On 15 January, in Bayern's first league match following the winter break against Wolfsburg, Ribéry suffered a lower leg injury in the first half as a result of a tackle by BrazilianmidfielderJosué.[107] Initial media reports described the injury as serious with Ribéry possibly having to undergo surgery to repair torn ligaments.[108][109] After further medical analysis, however, the injury was only reduced to a sprain and Ribéry subsequently missed two weeks.[110] He returned to the team on 5 February in a league match against1. FC Köln.[111] On 12 February, Ribéry assisted on two goals in a 4–0 win over 1899 Hoffenheim.[112]
Following the team's 3–1 league win overMainz 05 on 19 February, Ribéry embarked on a streak in which he charted a statistical output in Bayern's next five league matches. On 26 February, he assisted on the team's only goal in its 3–1 defeat against rivals Borussia Dortmund.[113] In the next match, againstHannover 96, he repeated his feat from the previous match assisted on anArjen Robben goal in another defeat.[114] On 12 March, Ribéry had arguably his best performance of the season after scoring a goal and providing three assists in a 6–0 hammering ofHamburger SV.[115] In Bayern's following match againstSC Freiburg, he assisted on the team's opening goal, scored byMario Gómez, and then netted the game-winning goal two minutes from time in a 2–1 win.[116] AgainstBorussia Mönchengladbach on 2 April, Ribéry assisted on the only goal of the match, which was converted by Robben.[117] The streak ended in the team's 1–1 draw with 1. FC Nürnberg on 11 April.[118] Six days later, Ribéry scored the final goal in a 5–1 sweeping of Bayer Leverkusen.[119][120]
Prior to the start of the2011–12 season, Ribéry suffered an ankle injury during a pre-season training session, which resulted in the player being carried from the training ground by members of the club's medical team.[121] Despite the player himself fearing he may have torn ligaments in the ankle, after an examination, club doctors revealed that the injury was not as serious as first thought, and Ribéry missed only one competitive match, a 3–0 DFB-Pokal away win overEintracht Braunschweig on 1 August 2011.[122][123] Ribéry made his season debut a week later in Bayern's opening league match of the season, playing the entire match in a 1–0 loss to Borussia Mönchengladbach.[124] In the following week, he assisted on the game-winning goal, scored byLuiz Gustavo, in a win over VfL Wolfsburg.[125] Ribéry scored his first goal of the campaign in the team's next league match against Hamburger SV.[126] Bayern won the match 5–0. Following the international break, on 10 September, he scored a double and assisted on a goal in a 7–0 home victory over SC Freiburg.[127] A week later, Ribéry assisted on both team goals in a shutout win over Schalke 04.[128]
Following the October international break, Ribéry manufactured another statistical output after scoring and assisting on two goals in a 4–0 win overHertha BSC.[129] On 29 October, he scored the game-winning goal in a 2–1 win overFC Augsburg.[130] In the UEFA Champions League, Ribéry scored his first goal in the competition on 22 November against Spanish clubVillarreal in the group stage. He scored one goal in each half to give Bayern a 3–1 win, which allowed the club progression to theUEFA Champions League knockout phase.[131] On 3 December, Ribéry scored another set of goals in a 4–1 win against Werder Bremen. The league win re-inserted Bayern back into first-place position in the league after momentarily losing the spot in late November.[132] After failing to score a goal in two months, on 8 February 2012 Ribéry scored the game-winning goal in a 2–0 win over VfB Stuttgart in the quarter-finals of theDFB-Pokal.[133] The goal resulted in Ribéry scoring in every official competition Bayern Munich has participated in since he joined the club in 2007.
On 26 February, Ribéry scored two goals in a shutout win over Schalke 04.[134] Two weeks later, in a 7–1 thrashing of 1899 Hoffenheim, he scored another goal and assisted on goals scored byToni Kroos, Arjen Robben and Mario Gómez.[135] In the semi-finals of the DFB-Pokal, Ribéry scored the second goal in the team's 4–2 extra time win over Borussia Mönchengladbach. The win took Bayern Munich to its 18th German Cup final.[136] On 17 April, Ribéry scored Bayern's opening goal in its 2–1 first leg victory over Spanish club Real Madrid in the semi-finals of the Champions League.[137] Two days after the match, it was reported by German publicationSport Bild that Ribéry was involved in a dressing room fight during half-time of the Madrid match with Arjen Robben.[138] The report stated that "a clear-the-air meeting was held" and Ribéry was "said to have apologized and accepted a fine for his actions".[139] In the team's ensuing match against Werder Bremen, Ribéry appeared as a substitute and scored the game-winning goal in the 90th minute.[140] On 12 May 2012, Ribéry scored in the2012 DFB-Pokal Final, as Bayern lost 5–2 against rivals Borussia Dortmund. In extra time of the2012 UEFA Champions League Final, he was subbed out after sustaining an injury from a tackle byDidier Drogba. Bayern eventually lost in a penalty shootout.[141]
Ribéry started the 2012–13 season by winning the2012 DFL-Supercup against Borussia Dortmund on 12 August 2012. He scored two goals in a 2–0 victory over Hoffenheim on 6 October.[142] Ribery scored a late minute goal againstBATE Borisov in theChampions League, but the match ended a 3–1 loss for Bayern.[143] On 20 October, Ribery provided hat-trick of assists in a 5–0 win overFortuna Düsseldorf.[144] On 18 December, Ribéry was shown a straight red card after slapping Augsburg's midfielderKoo Ja-cheol during theDFB Pokal round of 16 match, but that did not stop his side from winning the match 2–0.[145] He was given two-match suspension in the Pokal causing him to miss the quarter-final match against Borussia Dortmund and the semi-final match against VFL Wolfsburg even though his side won both of the matches and made it through to thefinal.[146]
Ribéry also won theChampions League with Bayern Munich in an all-German final against Dortmund. He provided the assist to Arjen Robben who then scored the match-winning goal in theChampions League final.[147] He completed the continental treble with Bayern after also winning the2012–13 Bundesliga and2013 DFB-Pokal against VfB Stuttgart. Ribéry also had the most assists with 15 assists in the Bundesliga.[148]
On 10 August 2013, Ribéry provided one assist to his teammate Arjen Robben in their firstBundesliga game of the season as they won the game with a 3–1 victory over Borussia Mönchengladbach.[149] Ribéry scored his first header in a 2–0 victory over 1. FC Nürnberg on 24 August.[150] On 29 August, Ribéry won theUEFA Best Player in Europe Award.[6] On 30 August, Ribéry scored a 47th-minute goal against Chelsea in the2013 UEFA Super Cup as his side won theUEFA Super Cup title for the first time in their club's history after winning in the penalty shoot-out.[151]
On 21 December, Ribéry was awarded the Golden Ball for being the best player of the tournament after his side won theFIFA Club World Cup title for the first time in club's history by beatingRaja Casablanca 2–0 victory in thefinal.[152][153] On 13 January 2014, he placed third in the2013 FIFA Ballon d'Or, behind Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.[154] On 7 February, Ribéry suffered burst blood vessel in his buttock which kept him out of the pitch for two weeks.[155] On 25 March, he scored in a 3–1 win over Hertha BSC as Bayern were confirmed as Bundesliga champions.[156]
On 18 October 2014, Ribéry made his return after suffering from a knee injury as a substitute in the 61st minute in a 6–0 home victory over Werder Bremen.[157][158] Ribéry scored each goal in both the matches againstA.S. Roma in theUEFA Champions League group stage, Bayern won 7–1 in the first match and 2–0 in the second match.[159][160] He made an impressive performance and scored a goal in his first start for the club since April 2014 in a 3–1 victory over Hamburger SV in theDFB-Pokal on 30 October.[161] Ribéry scored his 100th goal for Bayern and the only goal of the match in 1–0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen on 6 December.[162] The goal happened in his 287th competitive match for Bayern.[163] In January 2015, he suffered another injury which was muscle injury in training and missed only three matches against VfL Wolfsburg, Schalke 04 and VfB Stuttgart.[164] On 27 March, Ribéry then suffered an ankle injury in a 7–0 home victory overShakhtar Donetsk in theUEFA Champions League 2nd leg match of theRound of 16 tie and was sidelined for the remaining of theseason.[165] He scored nine goals and provided seven assists in this season.[166]
On 2 December 2015, Ribéry trained with the first team for the first time since his injury in March 2015.[167] On 5 December, he made his first appearance since his ankle injury as a substitute coming in forRobert Lewandowski and also scored a goal after six minutes of his appearance, but that didn't stop Bayern from losing 3–1 to Borussia Mönchengladbach.[168] It was also his 300th competitive appearance for Bayern Munich.[169] He made his 200th Bundesliga appearance in a 1–0 win over 1. FC Köln on 19 March 2016.[170] On 2 April, Ribéry scored a bicycle kick goal for Bayern Munich to beatEintracht Frankfurt with a 1–0 victory.[171] He finished theseason with two goals and three assists.[172]
Ribéry extended his contract with Bayern Munich by another year to June 2018, on 27 November 2016.[173] On 17 September, Ribéry was involved in all Bayern's goal as he provided three assists to Robert Lewandowski,Xabi Alonso andRafinha's goals to beatFC Ingolstadt 04 with a 3–1 victory.[174] In the middle of theseason, he suffered a thigh injury which kept him out from the pitch for almost four weeks.[175][176] He made his comeback in a 3–0DFB-Pokal quarter-final victory over Schalke 04 on 2 March 2017.[176] Ribéry scored five goals and provided seventeen assists in this season.[177]
Ribéry started theseason by winning theDFL-Supercup as Bayern defeated their arch-rival Borussia Dortmund 5–4 on penalties.[178] On 1 October 2017, he sustained a knee injury in a 2–2 draw toHertha BSC.[179] On 2 December, Ribéry made his return to the pitch in a 3–1 victory over Hannover 96 and made a record for Bayern Munich's most Bundesliga appearances by a non-German with 235th appearance, overtaking former Bayern player and currentsporting directorHasan Salihamidžić who had 234 appearances.[180] He made another record of most competitive appearances by any non-German player for Bayern with 366 appearances in a 1–0 victory over 1. FC Köln, surpassing Hasan Salihamidžić's 365 appearances.[181] Ribéry scored twice in a 6–0 home victory over Hamburger SV on 10 March 2018.[182] On 7 May 2018, Ribéry again extended his contract with Bayern, until June 2019.[183] He ended the season with six goals and five assists.[184]
Ribéry played his first competitive match of theseason and won theDFL-Supercup as Bayern defeated Eintracht Frankfurt with a 5–0 victory.[185] On 1 September, Ribéry made his 250th Bundesliga appearance in a 3–0 victory over VfB Stuttgart.[186] On 27 November, Ribéry scored his first goal of the season in a 5–1 win againstBenfica in the Champions League.[187]
On 5 May 2019,Bayern Munich announced that Ribéry would be leaving the club at the end of the season, with a testimonial match set for 2020.[188][189] On 18 May 2019, Ribéry won his ninth Bundesliga title with Bayern. With his ninth Bundesliga title, Ribéry became Bundesliga's all-time record champion (since surpassed by David Alaba and Thomas Müller).[190][191] On 25 May 2019, Ribéry won his sixthDFB-Pokal as Bayern defeatedRB Leipzig 3–0 in the2019 DFB-Pokal Final. Ribéry came on as a substitute in the 87th minute and made history as this was his eighth DFB-Pokal final appearance. No other player has played in as many DFB-Pokal finals.[192] Ribéry finished his career at Bayern with a club record 24 titles.[193]
In August 2019, Ribéry signed with Italian sideFiorentina on a free transfer.[194] He made his debut for the club on 24 August, coming on as a late substitute in a 4–3 home loss toNapoli in the opening game of the2019–20 Serie A season.[195] He scored his first goal for the club in a 2–2 away draw againstAtalanta on 22 September.[196] In October 2019, he received a three-match ban after pushing a match official.[197]
On 6 September 2021, Ribéry signed forSalernitana, agreeing on a one-year contract with an automatical renewal in case the club succeeded in keeping its Serie A status by the end of the season.[198] Appointed as team captain, Ribéry played only 23 league games due to recurring injuries.
As Salernitana escaped relegation by the final day of the season, Ribéry's contract was automatically extended by one more year. In the following 2022–23 season, Ribéry only managed to play 36 minutes in a game againstRoma as he regularly struggled with a recurring knee injury, thus leading to rumours regarding his possible immediate retirement.[199]
On 20 October 2022, Ribéry terminated his contract with Salernitana and announced his retirement.[200]
Prior to representing thesenior team, Ribéry was ever present with theFrance under-21 team earning his first selection on 3 September 2004 in a 1–0 victory overIsrael inqualifying for the2006 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship.[201] Ribéry scored his first under-21 goal five days later in a 1–0friendly win overSlovakia.[202] On 15 November 2005, he scored an important goal againstEngland during the qualification playoffs as France defeated them 3–2 on aggregate to advance to the finals.[203] Ribéry, however, missed the competition after earning selection to coachRaymond Domenech's pre-World Cup squad. In total with the under-21s, Ribéry made 13 appearances scoring two goals.[204]
Ribéry earned his first cap with the senior team in a 1–0 victory overMexico on 27 May 2006 appearing as a substitute in the 74th minute forstrikerDavid Trezeguet.[205] His solid performances in the friendly matches ahead of the2006 FIFA World Cup led to his inclusion in the team for the competition. Ribéry appeared in all seven matches France contested, starting six. On 27 June, he scored France's opening goal in the team's 3–1 Round of 16 win overSpain after receiving a through ball fromPatrick Vieira, which allowed the winger to dribble past an oncomingIker Casillas and shoot into the empty net.[206] He played in thefinal where France lost toItaly on penalties. Ribéry's only shot on goal came inextra time and he was later replaced by Trezeguet.[207]
Following the retirement ofZinedine Zidane, it was expected that Ribéry would succeed him and become the national team's talisman.[208] He went scoreless for almost a year and a half before converting a penalty shot againstEngland on 26 March 2008 at theStade de France. Following the goal, Ribéry paid tribute to legendary French commentatorThierry Gilardi, who had died a day earlier.[209] AtEuro 2008, France performed below expectations, with Ribéry appearing in all three group stage matches as France suffered early elimination. On 17 June 2008, in the team's final group stage match against Italy, Ribéry ruptured a ligament in his left ankle in just the 8th minute of play.[210] Ribéry returned to the team on 11 October 2008 in aFIFA World Cup qualification match againstRomania, scoring the team's opening goal in a 2–2 draw.[211] On 28 March 2009, Ribéry scored the only goal away toLithuania.[212] Three days later, he completed this feat again, this time at the Stade de France, netting the winner in the 75th minute following an assist fromAndré-Pierre Gignac.[213]
It's clear I had a horrible 2010 from all points of view. I won't even speak of the injuries that troubled me. But in my private life, my behaviour as a footballer, I went down the wrong roads, I lost myself. I hurt people, people who are very dear to me. I disappointed and even shocked many people and I want to apologise.
—Ribéry commenting on what occurred during the 2010 calendar year.[214]
On 11 May 2010, Ribéry was named to Domenech's 30-man preliminary squad to participate in the2010 World Cup and his second World Cup overall. He was later named to the 23-man team to compete in the competition. Ribéry appeared in all three group stage matches. Following the team's opening match againstUruguay, Ribéry was criticised for his performance by former internationalJust Fontaine, who questioned Ribéry's leadership ability.[215] It was later reported by the media that Ribéry and strikerNicolas Anelka purposely "froze-out" midfielderYoann Gourcuff.[216] Anelka was later dismissed from the team after reportedly having a dispute in which obscenities were passed, with Domenech during half-time of the team's 2–0 loss to Mexico.[217]
On 20 June, an emotional Ribéry appeared alongside Domenech onTF1's football showTéléfoot to dispel rumours associated with the team and to also apologise to supporters for the national team's performance over the past two years, stating, "We [France] are suffering at the moment," and, "I would like to say sorry to the whole country."[218][219] The following day, the team boycotted a training session in response to Anelka's expulsion and, on 21 June, returned to training without incident.[220] In the team's final group stage match against the hostsSouth Africa, Ribéry assisted on the team's only goal of the competition, scored byFlorent Malouda. France, however, lost the match 2–1, which resulted in the team's elimination from the competition. On 6 August, Ribéry was one of five players summoned to attend a hearing held by the Disciplinary Committee of theFrench Football Federation (FFF) in response to the team's strike held at the World Cup.[221] On 17 August, he received a three-match international ban for his part in the incident.[222] Ribéry did not attend the hearing due to his parent club's objection.[223]
On 17 March 2011, Ribéry was called up to the national team by new managerLaurent Blanc for the first time since the 2010 World Cup.[224] He had been eligible to return to the team since October 2010 after serving his three-match suspension, but due to injuries, Ribéry missed three call-ups. On 21 March, after arriving to Clairefontaine ahead of the team's matches againstLuxembourg andCroatia, Ribéry attended a personal press conference in which he apologised for his behaviour overall during the 2010 calendar year.[225] He made his return to the team on 25 March in the team's match against Luxembourg and responded by assisting on the team's second goal, scored by Yoann Gourcuff, in its 2–0 win.[226] In his first match at the Stade de France since his participation at the World Cup, against Croatia, Ribéry appeared as a substitute and was subject to jeers from some section of supporters, though other parts of the stadium chanted his name.[227][228]
After appearing regularly in qualifying forUEFA Euro 2012, on 29 May 2012, Ribéry was named to the squad to participate in the competition.[229] Two days prior, he scored his first goal for France in over three years in a 3–2 friendly comeback win overIceland.[230] On 31 May, Ribéry scored the game-winning goal in a 2–0 win againstSerbia.[231] Four days later, he capped off the trio of lead-in friendly matches ahead of the European Championship by scoring the opening goal in a 4–0 shutout win overEstonia.[232]
Ribéry was included in France's squad for the2014 FIFA World Cup, but on 6 June, coachDidier Deschamps confirmed that he would miss the tournament through injury.[233] Shortly afterwards, in August 2014 Ribéry retired from international football. He cited the reasons for his retirement as "purely personal".[234]
Ribéry primarily played as awinger and was described as a player who was "fast, tricky, and an excellentdribbler who had great control with the ball at his feet".[235] Despite being predominantly right-footed and utilised as aright-sided midfielder during his development years in France, since establishing himself as an international and at Bayern Munich, Ribéry personally admitted that his preference was to play on the left wing, even going as far as to state, "My place is on the left" when asked at a February 2010 media session while on international duty.[236] Although he was often played on the left wing domestically, Ribéry struggled to establish himself as a left winger at the international level with France due to the presence of left-footed dominant players such as Florent Malouda.[237] Ribéry declared that he was best utilised on the left side because "that is where I am most free and I am the best in my head".[238] Playing on the left also allowed Ribéry to use his "bursts of acceleration and weaving runs" to effectively cut inside, which allowed him to take on opponents, exploit spaces, and give him the options of either shooting on goal with his stronger foot or delivering a decisive pass.[239][240][241]
Ribéry was also capable of playing in the centre of the field as anattacking midfielder, where his vision, precise passing, technique, andplaymaking skills were best exhibited;[2][242][243][244][245] he was also deployed as acentralmidfielder on occasion.[246] Despite predominantly playing on the wing, Ribéry was known to be an excellent assist provider: during his twelve seasons with Bayern Munich, he amassed 124 assists in the Bundesliga;[190] moreover, he averaged double-digits in assists every year beginning with his final season at Marseille.[citation needed] In addition to his skills, eye for goal, and playing ability, he also drew praise in the media over his defensive work-rate, tenacity, mentality, and energetic playing style.[2][190][240][247]
Ribéry was described as a provocateur on the field of play, with UEFA referring to him as "a crowd-pleaser – one of those rare breed of footballer capable of enjoying his talents while expressing them",[248] due to his trickery, artistry, and creativity on the ball.[245][247][249] During the 2006 World Cup, he was mentored by national team playmaker Zinedine Zidane.[250] While boasting him as "the jewel of French football", Zidane also praised Ribéry as a person, declaring, "Franck just loves life. He's the kind of player that makes an impression every time he plays. He’s bound to become an important figure in the world of football."[239]
Ribéry's on-field personality was often matched off-field as he was often referred to as a "joker" and "prankster" by club and international teammates.[251][252] The midfielder has stated that humour is very important, admitting, "It's important to always be smiling, to wake up and feel good. We (footballers) have a great job, we like what we do and we have fun."[248] His more notable stunts include driving atractor on field during one of his last matches with Marseille; in his debut season with Bayern, emptying a bucket of water over former club goalkeeperOliver Kahn from the roof of the club's training centre; and, during the 2008–09 winter break, commandeering the team bus while inDubai and crashing it.[248][253]
Ribéry, however, also struggled with injuries throughout his career.[235] Since his first season at Bayern in which he appeared in 46 of the club's 54 competitive matches, Ribéry struggled with minor and serious injuries that resulted in the player failing to appear in over 40 matches in subsequent seasons; the midfielder passed the 40-match barrier in the2011–12 season after failing to in the previous three campaigns. Ahead of the 2008–09 season, he tore ligaments in one of his ankles while on international duty and, during the 2009–10 season, struggled with tendinitis in his left knee.[77] In the next season, Ribéry suffered an ankle injury, which resulted in the midfielder missing two months, despite the initial diagnosis ruling him out for four weeks.[102] He later suffered a similar ankle injury at the start of the 2011–12 season.[121] Ribéry, himself, has admitted that injuries led to most of his five-year career at Bayern being difficult, stating in July 2011, "The last two years (2009–10 and 2010–11 seasons) have been more difficult, partly because I kept picking up injuries. The important thing for me now is to avoid any more injuries".[254]
Ribéry's younger brothers, François andSteeven, are also football players. François played for many amateur clubs in France, among others forBayonne in the Championnat National.[259] Steeven played forBayern's reserve team for two years.[260]
Ribéry's wife, Wahiba, is a French national of Algerian descent and the couple have three daughters named Hiziya, Shahinez and Keltoum Chérifa, and two sons named Seif el Islam and Mohammed.[2][261][262][263] Ribéry is a convert toIslam,[264] following which, he adopted the name Bilal Yusuf Mohammed.[265][266]
Since establishing himself as an international, Ribéry has been involved in numerous promotional campaigns. He is sponsored by American sportswear companyNike and regularly wears Nike Mercurial Vapors. He appeared in several television advertisements for Nike and, during the 2007–08 Bundesliga season, starred in a one-off television show calledThe Franck Ribéry Show, which aired onDirect 8 in France.[267][268] The show, sponsored by Nike, acted as a variety show with Ribéry appearing in several sketches.[269] Ribéry features in EA Sports'FIFA video game series. For the 2008–09 season, he appeared on the French cover ofFIFA 09 alongside international teammateKarim Benzema, and was the ninth-highest rated player inFIFA 15.[270][271]
On 25 May 2010, a 27 by 30 metres (89 ft × 98 ft) billboard of Ribéry was officially unveiled in his home city of Boulogne-sur-Mer ahead of the 2010 World Cup. The billboard paid tribute to a similar billboard that was erected for Zinedine Zidane in his home city ofMarseille during his career.[272] The construction of the billboard was initially suspended due to possible image ramifications associated with Ribéry's alleged relationship with an underage prostitute.[273]
However, the Regional Council of theNord-Pas-de-Calais region, which initially opposed the billboard, agreed to allow construction of the billboard. The billboard was a project of Ribéry's sponsor Nike and was on display for the duration of the 2010 World Cup.[274] More recently, he was one of several international superstars featured in Nike's "The Last Game", a five-minute animated ad made during the run-up to the 2014 World Cup that wentviral.[275]
On 18 April 2010, it was first reported by French television serviceM6 that four members of the French national team were being investigated for their roles as clients of a prostitution ring that was being operated inside a Parisnightclub, with some of the women possibly being underage. The report also stated that two of the players were already questioned as witnesses byjudge André Dando and a group ofmagistrates. The report described the two players as being one who "is a major player in a big foreign club" and that the other "plays in the championship of France Ligue 1".[279] Later that day, the players were discovered to be Ribéry andKarim Benzema.[280] During his interview with Dando, Ribéry reportedly admitted to having had a relationship with a prostitute, but did not know that she was a minor at the time the relationship began.[281]
On 29 April 2010, the country's Secretary of State for SportsRama Yade, after refusing to publicly comment on the case in its infancy, declared that any player placed under investigation should not represent the France national team.[282] The following day, a judicial source confirmed that Ribéry would not be placed under official investigation, if at all, before the start of the 2010 World Cup.[283] On 20 July, Ribéry was questioned by Parispolice and, following questioning, was indicted by judge Dando on the charge of "solicitation of a minor prostitute".[284][285][286] In November 2011, prosecutors asked for the cases against Ribéry and Benzema to be dropped, saying that the players were not aware that the escort, identified asZahia Dehar, was 16 years old when they had paid to have sex with her.[287][needs update]
^"Vaterfreuden bei Franck Ribéry" [Joy of fatherhood for Franck Ribéry] (in German). FC Bayern Munich. 16 September 2011.Archived from the original on 23 September 2011. Retrieved4 June 2015.
^Garin, Erik; Pierrend, José Luis (8 January 2015)."France - Footballer of the Year". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved17 October 2015.
^Pierrend, José Luis (6 March 2012).""Onze Mondial" Awards". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved26 December 2015.
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