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His impact
Franck Ribery helped Munich to an historic treble last season. The statistics above show how important a player he has been to Die Roten and with his confidence sky-high, that electric form he displayed was transmitted onto the rest of the squad.
His ability to spot a player with an eye-of-the-needle pass that has been a game-changer so often last season is the reason he is so highly valued at the Allianz Arena. In fact, throughout last season (whether for club or country), Ribéry was on top of his game.
Another reason he has been so successful last season is because he was free of injuries. Debilitating injuries in the 2009-10 and 2010-11 seasons meant he could not achieve his consistent best and as a result of injuries, he has missed a total of more than 40 matches for the Bavarians.
A team player
“Franck’s having a superb season, probably the best of his career It’s no real surprise he scored twice,” said Jupp Heynckes to FIFA in an interview last season. “He’s been unbelievably team-oriented the whole season. That’s where he’s come on incredibly.”
And that is essentially what separates Ribéry from Bayern’s other big-name winger. Arjen Robben is a more individualistic player than the Frenchman and that could be why he has not seen as much action this season. That quality came to the fore during Bayern’s penalty shoot-out defeat to Chelsea two seasons ago in the UEFA Champions League final but the Dutchman more than exorcised his demons with the winner at Wembley in May.
In a country like Germany which prides integration, assimilation and teamwork over individual skills and flair, Ribéry’s qualities have earned him the love of football fans. That Bayern fans have crowned him Kaiser, a title last held by the legendary Franz Beckenbauer shows just how much they adore him.
On the facade of the Theatinerkirche, one of Munich’s prominent buildings, is a large mock-up of Ribéry in royal robes that says Bayern hat wieder einen König or Bayern once again have a king. That shows the high esteem in which he is held.
One of his best performances last season came when Borussia Monchengladbach threatened to derail Bayern’s treble hopes. Trailing 2-0 at the Allianz, Ribéry led his team’s comeback with two goals and two assists. His best moment of the game was in the second half when he scored Bayern’s equaliser, powering home a ferocious first time volley from the edge of the box to make the score 3-3.
The Bavarians won that game 4-3, Jerome Boateng scoring a late, late winner from Ribéry’s corner.
What next?
Ribéry has often said that he wants to retire at Bayern and he might just get his wish. He has penned a contract extension that will see him stay at the Allianz Arena until 2017, by which time he will be 34 and can then weigh his options at that time.
His future, then is set, and if he continues to deliver the performances that he has in both red and blue over last season, he is bound to be included in Bayern’s hall of fame when he finally decides to bid adieu to the beautiful game played on that big green thing in front of you and me.
When we play FIFA, that is.
Click here to view the rest of the Player of the Season nominees
