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Tag: Franck Ribery

  • Ribery to leave Bayern at the end of the season

    Franck Ribery will leave Bayern Munich at the end of his contract this summer, the Bundesliga club said on Sunday.

    Ribery, 36, has made over 400 appearances and won 21 major honours with Bayern since joining from Marseille in 2007. His trophies include eight Bundesliga titles, the Champions League, Super Cup and Club World Cup.

    “When I came to Bayern, it was a dream come true. It won’t be easy to say goodbye, but we must never forget what we’ve achieved together, we’ve won so much — more than 20 honours,” Ribery told the club’s official website.

    Former France international Ribery will join fellow veteran forward Arjen Robben in leaving the club at the end of the campaign, breaking up the iconic “Robbery” partnership at the Allianz Arena.

    Bayern confirmed they will honour the duo with a testimonial match in 2020.

    Franck Ribery joined Bayern from Marseille in 2007.

    “Franck and Arjen are great players,” Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said. “FC Bayern owes a lot to both of them and we will give them a wonderful and emotional farewell. They’ve helped shape FC Bayern’s most successful decade with fantastic football.”

    Ribery can still add two more pieces of silverware this season, with Bayern on the brink of the Bundesliga title after beating Hannover 3-1 on Saturday, while they face RB Leipzig in the final of the DFB Pokal later this month.

    “I don’t have a concrete plan for next season yet,” Ribery added. “I’m not sure where I can go to play football. I will keep playing but nothing is 100 percent certain yet.”

    He has been linked with a move to the Middle East with Al-Saad (Qatar), Al Duhail (Qatar) and Al Nasr (Saudi Arabia).

    Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone told everyone he was coming for the UFC’s lightweight title in 2019. He was not kidding.

    Cerrone (36-11) picked up a huge decision victory over Al Iaquinta (14-5-1) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Ottawa, Ontario. Cerrone, a 36-year-old veteran with nearly 50 professional fights under his belt, gained steam as the five-round bout played out and nearly finished Iaquinta multiple times with strikes.

    All three judges scored it a dominant showcase for Cerrone, via scores of 49-45, 49-45 and 49-46.

    “Not bad for ‘Day Drinkin’ Don,’ huh?” Cerrone said. “I guess I’m doing it for all the old people out there. There’s still a chance.”

    Donald Cerrone, left, dropped Al Iaquinta with a front kick to the chin in Round 4. Iaquinta was also knocked down by a jab late in the third round. Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

    It was Cerrone’s second victory since he dropped to the 155-pound division after competing in the 170-pound division from 2016 to 2018. After his previous win, an impressive TKO over rising prospect Alexander Hernandez, Cerrone admitted he wouldn’t mind fighting former champion Conor McGregor on his way to the belt. The UFC explored it, but the bout didn’t come together.

    He reiterated his interest in a title shot — and McGregor — on Saturday.

    “I want the title, whatever that means,” Cerrone said. “Unless, Conor McGregor, you want to fight me in July. I’m ready.”

    Already the most winningest fighter in UFC history going into Saturday, Cerrone still looked very much in his prime against Iaquinta. He dropped Iaquinta with a jab late in the third round, and again with a front kick to the chin in the fourth. Before Saturday, Iaquinta had never been dropped in his MMA career.

    By the end of the bout, Iaquinta’s face was a bloody mess. A ringside physician checked on Iaquinta’s injuries before allowing him to go out for the fifth round. After the bout, he could barely walk, due to the damage Cerrone inflicted with leg kicks.

    Despite the loss, Iaquinta, 32, showed a lot of heart, and he did rock Cerrone multiple times in the second round. He caught a kick to the body and delivered a hard counter right hand that definitely grabbed the attention of the older fighter.

    Current lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov is expected to defend his title next against interim champion Dustin Poirier in September. McGregor is still not booked for a fight. He has not fought since a loss to Nurmagomedov at UFC 229 in October.

     

    ESPN

  • Bayern confirm torn knee ligament for Ribery

    Bayern confirm torn knee ligament for Ribery

     

    Bayern Munich have confirmed winger Franck Ribery has torn the lateral collateral ligament in his left knee.

    The 34-year-old appeared to jar his knee when he stood on top of the ball during the second half of his side’s 2-2 Bundesliga draw away to Hertha Berlin on Sunday.

    Tests have since revealed the extent of the damage and initial reports suggest he is facing up to three months out of action.

    “We’re sorry Franck has hurt himself,” Chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said via the club’s official website. “We all wish him a quick recovery.”

    Bayern said in a statement that Ribery has already begun rehabilitation work to repair the damage, although he will not require surgery.

    Speaking after the match, the former Marseille star said: “I’m in a lot of pain. The outer ligament is probably damaged. I hope it’s not any worse than that.”

    Team-mate Jerome Boateng tweeted soon after the news: “Get well soon bro!”.

    The winger was quickly replaced by Kingsley Coman in Bayern’s first match since sacking Carlo Ancelotti.
    After a positive start, The Bundesliga champions lost a two goal lead to draw with Hertha Berlin.
    They now sit second in the Bundesliga and are five points adrift of Borussia Dortmund after a difficult start to the season.

  • Ribery and Robben too old for Chinese super league

    Ribery and Robben too old for Chinese super league

     

    Bayern Munich duo Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben are now too old to be of benefit to the Chinese Super League, says Shanghai SIPG director Mads Davidsen.

    Both wingers have been linked with moves to Asia in the recent past, but have opted to remain in Europe.

    Neither have offered any indication that they intend to head to the Far East any time soon, but they have been warned that the opportunity to take advantage of such riches may have passed them by.

    Ribery and Robben are now 34 and 33 years of age respectively, with the CSL eager to move away from veteran performers and towards players with potential to contribute in the present and future.

    Davidsen told Sport BILD: “It’s a misconception that makes me really angry when players in Europe believe they can freely choose the time to move to China.

    “This was the situation three or four years ago but those times are over.

    “If Ribery had an offer two or three years ago from China then that was his chance, but an ambitious Chinese team like Shanghai SIPG wouldn’t sign him or Robben now.

    “Why should a Chinese club sign a 33 or 34-year-old when they can get 27-year-old stars like Axel Witsel or Alex Teixeira, or Oscar at 25?”

    Robben claimed in January that he would never rule out a move to China, saying: “My family comes first, but the life experience, living elsewhere – in the USA, in China – might come. But maybe not. Maybe I’ll go back home [to the Netherlands]. I do not rule out anything.”

  • Champions league: Ribery can’t wait to finish Arsenal

    Champions league: Ribery can’t wait to finish Arsenal

     

    Bayern Munich’s dominant 3-0 Bundesliga win over Koln was good preparation for confirming Arsenal’s Champions League demise, according to Franck Ribery.
    The French forward came off the bench and netted the final goal as Carlo Ancelotti’s side cruised to a comfortable victory at RheinEnergie Stadion on Saturday, the first away team to come out on top in a league match at the venue for 11 months.
    Next up for Germany’s domestic title-holders is a visit to Emirates Stadium on Tuesday, where Bayern hold a 5-1 aggregate lead from a dominant victory in the first leg at home, with a spot in the quarter-finals surely a mere formality.
    “We have to go on like this,” Ribery said.
    “It was a tough game today, but we did well – 3-0 in Koln [is not easy].
    “They are a good team, they have played a good season so far. This is also important for Tuesday against Arsenal.
    “We always want to attack, but we have to be careful. We scored the first goal nicely. The second goal was very important for the game,” he added, referring to strikes from Javi Martinez and Juan Bernat either side of half-time.
    Of Bayern’s injury problems, he said: “Jerome Boateng is still missing, Renato Sanches was a bit sick, but we need all players for this season. It’s very nice when we are complete.”
    Now seven points clear at the top of the Bundesliga, Bayern are at home to Eintracht Frankfurt next weekend.

  • Ribery bounces back against Hamburg

    Ribery bounces back against Hamburg

     

     

    Franck Ribery is ready to make his Bayern Munich comeback in Saturday’s Bundesliga encounter with Hamburg after shaking off a thigh injury.

    The former France international has not featured for Bayern since their hard-fought 2-1 win over Werder Bremen in late January, but has been given the green light to feature against Hamburg

    “Franck is ready,” head coach Carlo Ancelotti said at a media conference.

    “He has trained well this week. I have not made a final decision about my starting XI yet, but I think he will be on the bench Saturday.”

    Xabi Alonso, however, will miss this weekend’s clash at the Allianz Arena due to a minor adductor problem.

    “He had a small problem with his adductors and is not at 100 per cent,” Ancelotti added.

    “We do not want to take any risk against Hamburg.”

    Saturday’s clash will be Ancelotti’s 1,000th game in a coaching career that has seen successful spells at AC Milan, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid.

    “I am very happy to celebrating that milestone,” he continued.

    “I can remember every game I have been in the dugout for. I still get excited ahead of every game.

    “HSV are a good side. They have quick attackers. We will have to be at 100 per cent.”

  • Ribery eyes return against Hamburg

    Ribery eyes return against Hamburg

     

     

    Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery has stepped up his comeback from a thigh injury as his first-team return moves closer.

    Ribery has missed Bayern’s last five matches across all competitions, but the club are hoping he will be fit to return in time for Saturday’s Bundesliga clash with Hamburg at the Allianz Arena.

    Failing that, head coach Carlo Ancelotti revealed last week that the latest he expected the 33-year-old to return in the DFB-Pokal tie at home to Schalke on March 1.

    But the Hamburg encounter looks like a realistic option after Ribery took a step forward by training on what was a day off for his team-mates on Monday, with the club describing his activities in great detail.

    “Ribery dribbled his way through slalom poles, jumped over hurdles and sprinted until his heart was content,” read Bayern’s statement.

    “His efforts mean a return to full team training are edging ever closer.”

  • FIFA celebrates Ribery at 32

    FIFA celebrates Ribery at 32

    The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) has sent congratulatory messages to former French national footballer, Franck Ribery on his birthday.

    Ribery, who currently plays his football for German Bundesliga side, Bayern Munich, on Tuesday clocks 32.

    FIFA, the international governing body of football associations, futsal and beach soccer, posted on its Instagram handle saying: “…Like to wish the Frenchman a happy birthday!”

    Ribery celebrating his birthday back in 2010.

    The French player primarily plays as a winger, who prefers playing from the left side despite being right-footed.

    Ribery, known for his pace, energy, skill and precise passing, is described as a player who is fast, tricky and an excellent dribbler, who has great control with the ball at his feet.

    Since joining Bayern, he has been recognised on the world stage as one of the best French players of his generation.

    To his homour, former talisman of the French national team, Zinedine Zidane, called Ribéry the “jewel of French football”.