FRANCK RIBERY feared losing his leg as he lay in hospital during the 12 “scariest” days of his career.
Footballers often speak of painful moments in terms of missed chances, failed transfers or unfulfilled dreams.
GettyFranck Ribery ended his career at Salernitana in October 2022 after the most traumatic time of his 18-year career[/caption]
PA:Empics SportRibery’s peak years came at Bayern, including Champions League glory[/caption]
And yes, they sometimes also speak of frustration over injuries when pondering their low points.
But for French legend Ribery there is no doubt what counts as the worst time of his two decades at the very top.
It came as he wound his career down at Salernitana, with a particularly unlucky finale to 13 months at the Italian club in 2022.
Ribery had what should have been a pretty routine operation to insert a metal plate into his knee.
But although it went well, he told L’Équipe his knee then “had no more cartilage”
And after that his situation plunged perilously.
The former Bayern Munich winger, 41, went back to have the plate taken out about five months after his initial surgery.
But Ribery had picked up an infection and soon discovered how frightening the scenario had become.
The ex-Marseille and Fiorentina hero explained: “I took tablets for two months, the plate was removed but the infection had eaten away at me.
“It was so bad that I had holes in my leg. I had contracted Staphylococcus Aureus.
“I was in the emergency department in the hospital in Austria for twelve days.
“I was really scared. They could have cut off my leg.”
In the end, Ribery recovered well enough to continue life as normal.
And the traumatic time surely put into perspective the fact it confirmed his playing days were over at the age of 39.
In all, Ribery won a then-record nine Bundesliga titles in 12 years at Bayern, also lifting the Champions League crown in 2013.
He picked up 81 caps and a runners-up medal at the 2006 World Cup.
And how about these for individual stats – 176 goals and 211 assists in 784 matches.
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