Health Crisis Post-Surgery

Franck Ribery, the former Bayern Munich and French international winger, recently disclosed a near-fatal health incident that occurred towards the conclusion of his illustrious career. The 41-year-old revealed that he almost faced leg amputation as a result of a severe infection that followed a knee operation.

Retirement and Injury Struggles

Ribery’s professional journey concluded in 2022, after a 22-year career marred by injuries, particularly during his time at Salernitana in Italy. Although this phase of his career is often regarded as less memorable, it was here that he encountered a frightening medical challenge.

The Start of His Ordeal

In an interview with L’Equipe, Ribery recounted that a seemingly routine surgery in Austria turned into a life-threatening situation. “My knee hurt more and more,” he reflected. Following the operation, a plate was inserted into his knee; however, five months later, he developed a life-threatening flesh-eating infection known as Staphylococcus aureus.

Avoiding Amputation

Ribery described the harrowing period spent in the emergency room of an Austrian hospital. “I was in the emergency room at the hospital in Austria for 12 days. I was really scared. They could have cut off my leg,” he stated. The infection had severely compromised his leg, leading to significant damage.

Reflections on His Career

Following this health scare, Ribery decided to retire from professional football, reflecting on a career that included stints at clubs like Galatasaray, Marseille, Fiorentina, and a notable 12-year tenure at Bayern Munich. At Bayern, he scored 124 goals and was part of a formidable attacking partnership with Arjen Robben.

Despite his many accolades, one moment continues to haunt Ribery: his close loss in the 2013 Ballon d’Or race. “I had everything except that award that year,” he lamented. He achieved remarkable success, helping Bayern secure a historic treble, but ultimately finished third behind Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi in the voting.

The Lingering Injustice

“It was the perfect year; I could not have performed any better,” Ribery added. He expressed confusion over the voting delay that year, which he believes played a crucial role in his loss. “I will never understand why the vote was delayed by more than two weeks when I was leading among journalists.”