Announcing his retirement from football, Ribery said, "The ball stops."
Franck Ribery, a former France and Bayern Munich offensive midfielder retired from football on Friday due to a chronic knee ailment that had kept him out of play for Serie A team Salernitana.
After finishing second with France at the 2006 World Cup, Ribery spent the next 12 years at Bayern Munich, winning nine league titles and the Champions League in 2013.
"The play is over. Ribery, who is 39 years old, posted in English, French, Italian, and German on social media, but his "feelings inside me do not."
With everyone's support, I've been able to go on this incredible adventure.
Since Salernitana's opening-day loss to Roma, Ribery hasn't played for the team he joined in 2021 after playing for Fiorentina; rumours of his retirement have persisted for weeks.
Ribery's agent Davide Lippi said to AFP two weeks ago that the 39-year-old will "very likely" retire.
By "mutual consent," Salernitana stated they had terminated the 39-year-contract. old's
Those around him commended him "for the enthusiasm, devotion, and commitment he showed to his profession, for wearing the captain's armband with maximum respect" last year when Salernitana pulled off a miraculous comeback on the final day of the season.
Salernitana also added confirmation that Ribery will be transitioning into a non-playing position now that he has opted to hang up his boots.
Earlier this month, the team announced they were talking with the Frenchman regarding a potential post.
Before their 2-1 victory over Verona, owner Danilo Iervolino remarked, "we will offer him a role, whatever he wants, in the timeline and method that he wants."
On and off the field, Franck shines. He has a lot of charm. He can connect with and inspire young people. He's a great leader who brings out the best in others, Iervolino added.
I see him working with me as a manager, but I'd be happy if he chose to focus on teaching instead.
Before Saturday's game against Spezia, Salernitana is in 12th place, five points clear of the Serie A relegation zone.
