Frank Ribery has announced his retirement from football at the age of 39
Former France and Bayern Munich attacking midfielder Franck Ribery announced his retirement from football on Friday after succumbing to a persistent knee injury which kept him out of action for Serie A club Salernitana.
Ribery’s deal with Salernitana would have taken his stay at the Serie A side up to the end of this season, but he has decided to hang his boots up now.
The 39-year-old also played for several other clubs in a 22-year career, including Metz, Galatasaray, Marseille and Fiorentina.
Ribery spent most of his career at Bayern, though, winning nine Bundesliga titles in 12 years.
He also won six DFB-Pokal titles, one Champions League, a UEFA Super Cup and a FIFA Club World Cup.
In his time at the Bavarian giants, Ribery made 273 Bundesliga appearances, recording 86 goals and 92 assists.
Ribery won 81 caps for France in all, scoring 16 times before retiring from international football in 2014, and was a member of Les Bleus’ squad when they finished as runners-up to Italy at the 2006 World Cup.
The former Bayern Munich and France winger took to social media to reveal the news.
He wrote: “The ball stops. The feelings inside me do not.
“Thanks to everyone for this great adventure”.