Ribéry, Franck (1983-…), was a French professional soccer player. Soccer is called football in much of the world. Ribéry was considered one of the game’s best players. From 2006 to 2014, he played for the French national team, commonly known as les Bleus (the Blues). Ribéry was named the French Player of the Year three times. Ribéry was a midfielder and winger known for his speed, ball-handling skills, and passing ability. In soccer, a winger is a forward or midfielder who plays primarily along the touchline, or sideline. For a discussion of soccer positions and formations, see Soccer (Players and officials).
Franck Henry Pierre Ribéry was born on April 7, 1983, in Boulogne-sur-Mer, Pas-de-Calais. As a young child, Ribéry was injured in an automobile accident, leaving him with facial scarring. As a youth, Ribéry played soccer at academies in Boulogne-sur-Mer and in nearby Lille.
Ribéry began his professional career in 2001 with Union Sportive Boulogne-sur-Mer Côte d’Opale, commonly referred to as US Boulogne, or simply Boulogne. In 2002, he transferred to Olympique Alès in Gard. In 2003, he signed with Stade Brestois 29 (Brest) in Brittany. His outstanding play with Brest earned him a 2004 transfer to Lorraine’s FC Metz of Ligue 1, France’s top soccer league. FC stands for football club. Ribéry signed with Galatasaray in Turkey in 2005. Later that year, he returned to Ligue 1 with Olympique de Marseille in Provence.
In 2006, Ribéry debuted for the French national team and was named to France’s FIFA World Cup tournament squad. FIFA stands for Fédération Internationale de Football Association (International Federation of Association Football). FIFA is soccer’s world governing body. Ribéry’s excellent performance in the World Cup gained him international stardom. In 2007, he signed with Germany’s FC Bayern Munich, one of soccer’s greatest teams. In 2008, Ribéry earned player of the year honors in both France and Germany. He again played for France in the 2010 World Cup.
In 2010, 2012, and 2013, Ribéry led Bayern Munich to the finals of the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) Champions League. The Champions League is an annual tournament among Europe’s top professional clubs. In 2013, Bayern Munich won the title, and Ribéry was named the UEFA Champions League Best Player. That same year, he also won the prestigious UEFA Best Player in Europe Award.
Ribéry had five goals and five assists during France’s qualifying matches ahead of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. However, an injury prevented him from playing in the tournament. Ribéry announced his retirement from international play in August, but he continued to play for Bayern Munich. In 2019, Ribéry transferred from Bayern Munich to Florentina, a top Italian club. In 2021, Ribéry left Florentina and signed with Salernitana, another top Italian club. He retired from soccer in 2022.
