Ribéry’s Insights: From Salerno to the Champions League
Despite nearing his 39th birthday,Franck Ribéry continues to grace the pitches near Salerno,a city nestled south of Naples. In a recent interview with Sky Sports, the veteran winger shared his thoughts on the current football landscape.
Currently languishing at the bottom of the league table, Ribéry’s primary focus is clear: guiding Salernitana to safety. He describes this mission as akin to winning a trophy, highlighting his unwavering commitment to the club. Looking ahead, Ribéry expressed his desire to transition into coaching after his playing days are over.
On the topic of the Serie A title race, Ribéry voiced his support for AC Milan, who currently hold a slender two-point lead over Inter. He believes a Milanese triumph would be fitting, notably for Zlatan Ibrahimović, whom he admires both as a person and a player.
Turning his attention to the Champions League, Ribéry predicts a fierce battle between Bayern munich, liverpool, and potentially PSG.
Individually, Ribéry hails Robert Lewandowski as the world’s premier striker for the past few years. He praises Lewandowski’s relentless work ethic and team-oriented approach, emphasizing that the Polish star consistently prioritizes the collective good even after scoring hat-tricks. Ribéry believes Lewandowski deserved to win the Ballon d’Or, even in 2020 when the award was canceled due to the pandemic.
Ribéry offered effusive praise for Kylian Mbappé, labeling him the most complete player in the game. He admires Mbappé’s composure and humility, noting that the young Frenchman remains grounded despite his remarkable talent. For Ribéry, watching Mbappé play is a pure joy.
Ribéry’s Second Act: A Sit-Down with a Salernitana Legend
Welcome, football fans, to another edition of “In the Zone”! Today, we have a true icon of the game joining us – the one and only Franck Ribéry. Franck, welcome to the show!
Franck Ribéry: Thanks for having me. It’s a pleasure to be here.
Moderator: The passion you still bring at 39 is truly inspiring. Guiding Salernitana in a relegation battle must be a monumental task. Do you feel your experience at the highest level prepares you for this fight?
franck ribéry: Absolutely! Every season brings new challenges, but there’s something special about fighting for survival. It reminds me of the hunger we had at marseille, at Bayern – to achieve something against all odds. My hunger to win hasn’t faded, and I hope to instill that same mentality in my teammates.
Moderator: Salernitana is your latest venture after a stellar career. While playing days may be winding down, you’ve spoken about transitioning into coaching. Do you see yourself on the sidelines, and what kind of coach do you aspire to be?
Franck Ribéry: Coaching is definitely in my future plans. I’ve learned from so many great managers, like Heynckes and Guardiola, and I want to pass on that knowledge. I believe in building a team based on respect, hard work, and a dedication to attacking football.
Moderator: Shifting gears a bit – we can’t ignore the thrilling Serie A title race. Milan currently holds a slim lead, and you’re backing Ibrahimović’s men. what attracts you to their campaign?
Franck Ribéry: As a player,you always appreciate a story of resilience. Milan climbed back from nothing, and Ibra, even at his age, is a leader and an inspiration. A title win for them would be a testament to their spirit, and I’m rooting for them all the way.
Moderator: Let’s talk Champions League. You’ve walked that path many times.Who’s catching your eye in this year’s competition?
Franck Ribéry: Bayern, as always, are a force to be reckoned with. Liverpool is playing some incredible football, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see PSG pull off an upset. It’s going to be a tight race, full of drama and surprises.
Moderator: Speaking of surprises, Kylian Mbappé. He’s labelled as “best in the world” by many. How does the current generation, with players like Mbappé, compare to your era?
Franck Ribéry:
Every generation brings new talent. Mbappé is exceptional, there’s no doubt whatsoever about it. His speed, his composure in front of goal, it’s frighteningly good.But every legend had their rivas, their challenges to overcome.It makes the game so exciting.
Moderator: You’ve voiced your belief that Lewandowski deserved the Ballon d’or in 2020. He’s been phenomenal for Bayern.
Franck Ribéry: Robert is a machine, a true goal scorer. He’s quietly one of the most complete strikers I’ve ever seen. His work rate is astounding, and he’s always willing to put the team first, even after scoring a hat-trick!
moderator:
Thank you for joining us, Franck. Your insights are always valuable, and we wish you the best in your fight to keep Salernitana afloat this season.
Franck Ribéry:
Thank you for having me. Forza Salernitana!
Moderator:
And now, we want to hear from you! Do you agree with Franck’s predictions for the Champions League? Who do you think will lift the trophy this year? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
