Franck Ribery has told kicker that his negative image in
France played a role in his decision to retire from
international duty.
- Laurens: Remembering Ribery for Les Bleus
Ribery, 31, said he now wants to focus his efforts on
winning trophies with Bayern Munich after having made
81 international appearances for his country.
The undoubted high point of his almost eight-year spell
among Les Bleus came at the 2006 World Cup, when he
was a relative unknown in Raymond Domenech's squad
but shone en route to his country finishing runners-up to
Italy in Berlin.
However, his reputation was badly stained by France's
disastrous 2010 World Cup campaign after which he --
as vice-captain -- was given a three-game international
ban by the French Football Federation (FFF) for his part
in the squad's infamous strike.
He later told RMC that the French media had tried to
"finish him off" for his part in that affair, but Domenech's
successor, Laurent Blanc, resurrected his international
career, and there were signs Ribery had won back the
hearts of the French public in helping the team reach the
quarterfinals at Euro 2012 as well as helping Didier
Deschamps' squad qualify for this year's World Cup.
He took no part in this summer's tournament, though,
after withdrawing with a back injury. In the days that
followed, the France team doctors suggested Ribery
could have taken part.
Ribery told German magazine kicker that he had "always
been proud to wear the France jersey" and had enjoyed
"many great moments with the national team" but was
now ready for a "new chapter."
Asked whether he had grown tired of fighting against
negative perceptions, Ribery -- who was acquitted of
charges of soliciting an underage prostitute in January
after a high-profile court case -- said: "You could say
that.
"If you are under such close observation like me then
you play a different type of football. In France, a Ribery
did not have the right to make mistakes.
"They only looked at what went wrong. Nothing was
excused. It's different here in Munich. I have always
given my all, but the club has also always supported me,
because it tried to understand how I function. That's why
it has worked out.
"I want to focus on my tasks here at FC Bayern, and
also to make room for the many great young players in
the national room. You need to know when to end things.
It's now time for others to step up, and you could see at
the World Cup that you don't have to worry about
France's future."
Ribery joined Bayern in 2007 and is contracted to the
club for another three years and he said: "I want to play
here until 2017, and I am hoping for three great years
with as many titles as possible."
Jerome Rothen, meanwhile, has told RMC his former
international teammate cannot lay claim to a place
among the pantheon of French football's greats.
"He has the qualities to be among the very greatest," the
36-year-old said. "Unfortunately, he won nothing with
France. That's what leaves me with a feeling of
underachievement. Come Euro 2016, France will have
improved.
"I think he could have helped this France team win a
trophy, and he would have been able to lift his only
trophy with Les Bleus. I'm a little disappointed by that,
and that's why I think we can't talk about him in the
same breath as Platini, Zidane, Deschamps and others."
However, former France defender Frank Leboeuf told
RMC that Ribery should be forgiven for his role in 2010,
and the ex-Chelsea man also felt the attacking
midfielder could have delayed his decision a little longer.
"I want to take my hat off to him, because his overall
contribution has been positive," Lebouef said. "It's true
that there is a big black spot, but it is not only on him --
it's the whole squad of 2010 that damaged the French
national team. He managed to get back, unlike some
other players. He had regained the supporters' respect.
"He has had a great career for France. He leaves
without a title, that's the downside, but after a World Cup
final in 2006, he could have again hoped to leave with a
trophy in 2016, because France can perhaps challenge
to be European champions."
The 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000 winner added: "I'm
surprised by the timing of his decision, but if you look at
his age, his caps, he's served the French national team
well. He was injured before the World Cup. You can
understand his decision."
Ribery explained one of the reasons for his decision was
to spend more time with his family. Former French
national team assistant coach and ex-French
international midfielder Alain Boghossian told Le Parisien
he believes the father-of-three may even nurse some
regrets in the future.
"His injury just before the World Cup must have caused
him to cool towards the national team," Boghossian said
"We knew it was his last World Cup, but I'm convinced
he could have given something at Euro 2016. It's a little
premature. You have time to be devoted to your family
after your career. Perhaps, one day, he'll reconsider his
decision."