FILE - Bayern's Franck Ribery celebrates scoring the opening goal during the Champions League first leg semifinal soccer match between Bayern Munich and Real Madrid in Munich, southern Germany, on April 17, 2012. Former France winger Franck Ribéry ended his 22-year career on Friday, Oct. 21, 2022, because of insurmountable knee problems. The 39-year-old Ribéry, who played for France in the 2006 World Cup final and won the Champions League with Bayern Munich in 2013, announced the decision in a video posted on social media, where the Salernitana player also thanked his family and the fans. (AP Photo/Kerstin Joensson)
The Associated Press
SALERNO, Italy (AP) - Former France winger Franck Ribéry announced his retirement on Friday because of insurmountable knee problems.
The 39-year-old Ribéry, who played for France in the 2006 World Cup final and won the Champions League with Bayern Munich in 2013, announced the decision in a video posted on social media, where the Salernitana player also thanked his family and fans.
'œThe fact that I was able to play at a high level for almost 20 years and to have this career is also because, even in difficult times, you were always there,'ť Ribéry said. 'œYou have given me the strength to live this incredible adventure.
'œBut today, despite the efforts I have made over the last three months, the pain in my knee has only worsened and the doctors are clear: I have no choice but to stop playing. So I have to end my career as a professional player.'ť
Ribéry played for clubs including Marseille and Fiorentina, but his most successful period was at Bayern Munich where he won nine Bundesliga titles, six German Cups and the Champions League during a 12-year spell with the German club.
He scored 124 goals in 425 appearances for Bayern and the club made a series of posts on social media after he announced his retirement, referring to him as a legend.
One was a photo of Ribéry surrounded by the trophies he won at Bayern and the words: 'œOne of the best players in our history has called time on his amazing career. Thanks for everything.'ť
Ribéry also made 81 appearances for France, scoring 16 times. He played in the defeat to Italy in the 2006 World Cup final.
Ribéry left Bayern on a free transfer in 2019 and played for Fiorentina for two seasons before joining Salernitana last year.
Ribéry made regular appearances for Salernitana last season but played just twice in the new campaign before being injured again.
Salernitana confirmed it has mutually agreed to end the winger's playing contract but added that Ribéry will continue in another role at the club. He will bid farewell to the fans before Saturday's Serie A match against Spezia.
Salernitana coach Davide Nicola said Ribéry will be part of his staff, while it is likely that he'll also work on his coaching licenses.
Ribéry added a second emotional post on social media.
'œI miss it already. The ball, the pitch, the stadiums, you fans. And yet I know that I will always be close to it all. Also in the future. Football and me. That simply belongs together. And always will.'ť
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FILE - Bayern's Franck Ribery lifts the trophy after Bayern won the final of the soccer Club World Cup between FC Bayern Munich and Raja Casablanca in Marrakech, Morocco, on Dec. 21, 2013. Former France winger Franck Ribéry ended his 22-year career on Friday, Oct. 21, 2022, because of insurmountable knee problems. The 39-year-old Ribéry, who played for France in the 2006 World Cup final and won the Champions League with Bayern Munich in 2013, announced the decision in a video posted on social media, where the Salernitana player also thanked his family and the fans. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)
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FILE - Salernitana's Franck Ribery keeps his eyes on the ball scoring during the Serie A soccer match between Salernitana and Genoa, at the Arechi stadium in Salerno, Italy, on Oct. 2, 2021. Former France winger Franck Ribéry ended his 22-year career on Friday, Oct. 21, 2022, because of insurmountable knee problems. The 39-year-old Ribéry, who played for France in the 2006 World Cup final and won the Champions League with Bayern Munich in 2013, announced the decision in a video posted on social media, where the Salernitana player also thanked his family and the fans.(Alessandro Garofalo/LaPresse via AP)
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FILE - France's Franck Ribery, back, competes for the ball with South Africa's Macbeth Sibaya, front, during the World Cup group A soccer match between France and South Africa at Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein, South Africa, on June 22, 2010. Former France winger Franck Ribéry ended his 22-year career on Friday, Oct. 21, 2022, because of insurmountable knee problems. The 39-year-old Ribéry, who played for France in the 2006 World Cup final and won the Champions League with Bayern Munich in 2013, announced the decision in a video posted on social media, where the Salernitana player also thanked his family and the fans. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
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Bayern's Franck Ribery carries the trophy after winning the German soccer cup, DFB Pokal, final match between RB Leipzig and Bayern Munich at the Olympic stadium in Berlin, Germany, on May 25, 2019. Former France winger Franck Ribéry ended his 22-year career on Friday, Oct. 21, 2022 because of insurmountable knee problems. The 39-year-old Ribéry, who played for France in the 2006 World Cup final and won the Champions League with Bayern Munich in 2013, announced the decision in a video posted on social media, where the Salernitana player also thanked his family and the fans.(AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)
The Associated Press
FILE - Bayern's Franck Ribery poses with the trophy after winning the final of the soccer Club World Cup between FC Bayern Munich and Raja Casablanca in Marrakech, Morocco, on Dec. 21, 2013. Former France winger Franck Ribéry ended his 22-year career on Friday, Oct. 21, 2022, because of insurmountable knee problems. The 39-year-old Ribéry, who played for France in the 2006 World Cup final and won the Champions League with Bayern Munich in 2013, announced the decision in a video posted on social media, where the Salernitana player also thanked his family and the fans. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)
The Associated Press
FILE - Bayern's Franck Ribery celebrates after scoring a goal during the semi final soccer match between Guangzhou Evergrande and Bayern Munich at the Club World Cup soccer tournament in Agadir, Morocco, on Dec. 17, 2013. Former France winger Franck Ribéry ended his 22-year career on Friday, Oct. 21, 2022, because of insurmountable knee problems. The 39-year-old Ribéry, who played for France in the 2006 World Cup final and won the Champions League with Bayern Munich in 2013, announced the decision in a video posted on social media, where the Salernitana player also thanked his family and the fans.(AP Photo/Christophe Ena)
The Associated Press
FILE - France's Frank Ribery, right, in action with Ukraine's Artem Fedetsky during their 2014 World Cup qualifying playoff first leg soccer match at the Olympiyskiy national stadium in Kiev, Ukraine, on Nov. 15, 2013. Former France winger Franck Ribéry ended his 22-year career on Friday, Oct. 21, 2022, because of insurmountable knee problems. The 39-year-old Ribéry, who played for France in the 2006 World Cup final and won the Champions League with Bayern Munich in 2013, announced the decision in a video posted on social media, where the Salernitana player also thanked his family and the fans. (AP Photo/Andrey Lukatsky)
The Associated Press
FILE - France's Franck Ribery, center, is caught between Uruguay's Maximiliano Pereira, left, and Uruguay's Diego Perez during the World Cup group A soccer match between Uruguay and France in Cape Town, South Africa, on June 11, 2010. Former France winger Franck Ribéry ended his 22-year career on Friday, Oct. 21, 2022, because of insurmountable knee problems. The 39-year-old Ribéry, who played for France in the 2006 World Cup final and won the Champions League with Bayern Munich in 2013, announced the decision in a video posted on social media, where the Salernitana player also thanked his family and the fans. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)
The Associated Press
FILE - Bayern's Franck Ribery of France, celebrates after scoring during the German first division Bundesliga soccer match between FC Bayern Munich and SV Werder Bremen in Munich, southern Germany, on Dec. 3, 2011. Former France winger Franck Ribéry ended his 22-year career on Friday, Oct. 21, 2022, because of insurmountable knee problems. The 39-year-old Ribéry, who played for France in the 2006 World Cup final and won the Champions League with Bayern Munich in 2013, announced the decision in a video posted on social media, where the Salernitana player also thanked his family and the fans. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)
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