Ribery wants to finish career at Bayern

Published on: 13 January 2018

Franck Ribery said he wants to end his career at Bayern Munich after staking a claim for a new contract with his first Bundesliga goal of the season in a 3-1 win at Leverkusen on Friday.

An opener from Javi Martinez and a stoppage-time free kick from James Rodriguez sealed the three points, which see Jupp Heynckes' side go 14 points clear of Schalke atop the league table.

Ribery, 34, signed from Marseille in 2007 and is Bayern's longest-serving player following the retirement of Philipp Lahm last season.

Ribery's contract is set to expire in the summer and former Barcelona legend Xavi Hernandez had urged the former France international to join him in Qatar when his current deal runs out.

But Ribery pledged his future to the Bavarians when asked about his future plans and about Friday's match: "My aim is to stay at Bayern Munich for as long as possible.

"Normally I provide a lot of assists and do a lot of dribbling -- but it's always great when you score a goal.

"You know when you play in Leverkusen it is always a difficult game. But after working hard in Qatar [winter training camp] we played well -- although we managed to win 3-1 it was tricky as Leverkusen put us under a lot of pressure.

Franck Ribery celebrates after scoring a goal for Bayern Munich. Getty Images

"I am pleased to be fit and healthy. I'm having fun with the team, enjoying playing and training as well."

However, Bayern interim coach Heynckes insisted there was no immediate hurry to deal with Ribery's contract situation.

"There's still time and Franck knows that," he said. "But he scored a hat trick on Tuesday in the friendly and was very active today."

New signing Sandro Wagner did not start despite Robert Lewandowski being out, but the Germany international who signed from Hoffenheim in December did make a substitute appearance after last playing for Bayern in September of 2007.

Wagner said: "I also thought I would start the game. But it's OK, I don't get upset. I am a very positive person.

"I'm back home again. I'm back at the best club in Germany and one of the best in the world.

"I'm a Germany international and I have a good life at the moment."

Asked about Wagner's substitute role in the win against Bayer, Heynckes said: "When a new player arrives he needs a certain time to integrate and learn our system. Therefore, he didn't start.

"Everyone assumed that with Lewandowski out, he [Wagner] will start but I think differently."

Source: espn.co.uk

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website.
Learn more