If the grass is not always greener elsewhere, it was indeed in Germany for Franck Ribéry. Born in Boulogne-sur-Mer, in the disadvantaged district of Chemin Vert, the French international, who announced his professional retirement on Friday October 21, spent twelve years across the Rhine, at Bayern Munich, where he was more fulfilled than never. Adopted by the Bundesliga, the Frenchman has made Germany his home. A reciprocal love between the Bayern Munich winger and the country of Goethe, who returned it to him with a nickname that speaks volumes of respect for Ribéry across the Rhine, where they spoke of “Kaiser Franck”.
This nickname, only a player had had the honor in the history of German football. And not just anyone: Franz Beckenbauer, 1974 world champion, double Ballon d’Or (1972, 1976), and emblematic captain of Bayern between 1964 and 1977. The defender, Zidane’s equivalent in German collective memory, had inherited of this nickname after posing next to the bust of Austrian Emperor Franz Joseph I in 1968. Since then, no one had had the shoulders – and the feet – to prove themselves worthy. Nobody, except Franck Ribéry.
Often mocked in France, Franck Ribéry has found a welcome haven in Germany. It must be said that the fairy tale had started in the best way. In 2007, after two full seasons at OM, and a year after having exploded in the eyes of the world during the World Cup in … Germany, Franck Ribéry wants to take a step forward. The Frenchman, who has just qualified OM for the next Champions League, rejects Lyon and Real Madrid, in favor of Bayern Munich, for one of the club’s most important transfers.
>> To read: the milestones of his career
The Bavarian giant is then in full reconstruction, and not even qualified for the C1, after its fourth place in the championship. The adaptation is express: Ribéry scored 21 goals and signed 15 assists for his first season, which ended with a league title. And a new nickname, therefore: that of Kaiser Franck. What even upsets the legend Franz Beckenbauer a little, who will end up dubbing him: “When we hired him, it was as if we had won the Loto”, slips the former defender.
92 – Frank #Ribery has provided 92 assists in 273 #Bundesliga apps – the most of all non-german players since detailed data collection in 2004/05. Farwell. pic.twitter.com/tm9V8wXhXt
— OptaFranz (@OptaFranz) October 7, 2022
After exercises hampered by injuries, it was between 2011 and 2014 that Franck Ribéry illuminated Germany the most with his talent. Best passer in the championship in 2012 and 2013, but also best player in 2008 and 2013, he became the strongman of a Bayern which had an exceptional year in 2013. After two finals lost in 2010 and 2012, the Bavarians won the Champions League that year. Ribéry is voted player of the year by UEFA, and legitimately claims the Ballon d’Or. Finally beaten by Cristiano Ronaldo and Lonel Messi, he will never really recover.
After reaching this summit, Ribéry hovers in Germany until 2014, before prolonging the pleasure. At the time of leaving Bayern in 2019, we speak of him as a legend. His 22 titles at the club (9 championships, 6 national cups, 4 German Supercups, 1 Champions League, 1 European Supercup, and 1 Club World Cup) and his 137 goals and 161 assists in 485 matches on indeed place in the pantheon of Bayern.
>> To read: eight years of love, disavowal and redemption in the French team
But if Germany loved Franck Ribéry so much, it is also for his personality. Having become perfectly bilingual over the months, the Frenchman did not speak a word when he arrived. To integrate, he had therefore opted for the strategy of the service clown. Toothpaste on the door handles, tape to block the doors, salt in the water… “Ch’Ti Franck” had no limits at the training center. Like his most famous shot: spilling a bucket of ice water on the head of Oliver Kahn, not known for his sense of humor.
In 2015, Franck Ribéry even told Bild magazine that he could take German nationality, and more if you like: “I can see myself staying here after my career. My children feel good at school, they have German friends. My daughter, Hiziya, makes fun of my German, it makes me laugh a lot! And my son Saïf was born here. He could even play for Germany later.”. If this is the case, he will have a lot to do to make the father forget in Bavaria.