Bayern hero Franck Ribery bursts into tears over class tribute from Italian fans
Franck Ribery was seen visibly upset after hearing the noise made for him by U.S. Salernitana fans for his last game before retirement.
The Frenchman, who won a World Cup and a Champions League during his glittering career, came onto the pitch for what was his last-ever game.
And he was met with raucous applause from fans as he walked out onto the Stadio Arechi for Salernitana’s match with Spezia in the Serie A, with the occasion getting too much for him.
READ MORE: Bayern Munich hero Franck Ribery set to retire aged 39 after devastating knee injuries
The winger started to well up, knowing that it would be his final match after a 20-year career.
The winger started his career with US Boulogne, before spending times at clubs in France, and in Turkey, before the winger made a name for himself at Marseille.
Ribery has played in in France, Turkey, Germany and Italy. He featured in the 2006 World Cup final against Italy, while he picked up a Champions League title with Bayern Munich in 2013, where he had some of his best years.
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The 39-year-old said after the game: “I knew this was going to be a special day for me and it was wonderful being able to thank everyone, from the team to the President, the coach and the fans,” Ribery told DAZN. He will stay in Salerno after retiring, joining Davide Nicola's staff and said he feels he can bring a lot to the table.
“I stayed in Salerno because I am very happy here and get along well with everyone," he explained. "It was difficult when I realised that I would have to stop playing, but the club immediately made me this proposal, so I can stay close to the pitch.
“In the last week I have been thinking a bit more about this moment, but the truth is that I don’t really come to it prepared," Ribery told La Gazzetta Dello Sport. "Three months ago I was still feeling good. I had a great pre-season training camp, then the first pain in my knee after a triangular match in July.
“At the first league game against Roma I played through the pain. I’m not a fragile person, but for the next three days I couldn’t move. The doctors said it was very serious. I tried to recover. I couldn’t believe that I was being forced to retire. I would have liked to choose when to retire.”
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