Official | Franck Ribéry announces his retirement, aged 39

One-time Champions League winner with Bayern Munich, Franck Ribéry has finally called time on his storied footballing career at the age of 39.

As reported previously, the retirement of the former France international came earlier than he would’ve imagined, owing to the recurring knee injuries that have limited his game time for Salernitana, a team Ribéry joined after leaving Fiorentina in the summer of 2021.

While he had a contract with the Italian club until June 2023, his declining physical abilities are considered the main reason he decided to hang his boots. The report understands that he will be made part of Salernitana’s coaching staff with a contract until June 2024.

Ribery has now confirmed the news, stating that injuries and fitness issues are forcing him to hang up his boots.

As far as Ribéry’s overall footballing career is concerned, it is a huge gulf crammed with exciting skills, goals, trophies, and controversies.

Seen as a diminutive figure good at wriggling past defensive bodies with his low centre of gravity, Ribéry became a nine-time Bundesliga champion, one-time UEFA Champions League and a FIFA Club World Cup winner with Bayern, where he seemingly hit the pinnacle of his potential.

Outside Germany, his long list of accolades includes a Turkish cup with Galatasaray and a UEFA Intertoto Cup with Marseille. Having made 632 appearances in total, the 39-year-old has garnered 151 goals and 224 assists from 632 appearances in all competitions over all these years. He would’ve liked to add a few more goals and appearances to that list had time permitted. However, it is worth saying that he has left a legacy behind.

GIFN | Jyotirmoy Halder