Former Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribéry announced retirement after 22 years in pro football. The Frenchman wrote an emotional note regarding his retirement and played the last game of his career for Serie A side Salernitana against Spezia. Ribéry was given an elaborate tribute celebrating his stellar career.
Ribéry received a special welcome as the Salernitana manager embraced him near the dugout. Fans in the stadium started chanting his name which pushed the Frenchman into tears. Ribery couldn’t hold back his emotions but managed to respond to the fans for their incredible gesture. The former Bayern Munich player was embraced by his teammates as they rounded off an emotional evening.
The footballing world saw the best of Frank Ribéry in a Bayern Munich jersey where he scored 124 goals and contributed 182 assists in 425 games from 2007-2019. In his tenure in Bavaria, the Frenchman went on to win the Champions League in 2013 and nine Bundesliga titles. After 12 successful years for the Bavarians, he left alongside Dutch winger Arjen Robben as Bayern Munich won their seventh successive Bundesliga title.
After his time in Germany, Ribery joined Fiorentina before he was transferred to Salernitana last summer and helped the club avoid relegation by one point. Ribery has also won the three-time French player of the year award and has recorded 16 goals and 25 assists in 81 caps for his country before announcing his retirement from international duty in 2014 after missing the World Cup with a back injury.