Franck Ribery has revealed his devastation after being forced into retirement by a knee injury.
At the age of 39, Ribery hoped to play a full campaign with Salernitana in Serie A this season, and he was counting on being able to go out on his own terms.
Instead, a knee problem that first surfaced in July has finished off his playing career.
The Bayern Munich and France great admitted he had been reduced to tears some days ago.
He said he was not “really prepared” for the moment of calling time on his playing days.
The former France international explained that three months ago he was feeling healthy, only for problems to then begin.
Ribery featured in Salernitana’s Serie A opener against Roma but conceded he “played in pain.”
Ribery said: “I’m not a fragile person, but for the next three days I couldn’t move. The doctors said the situation was very serious.
“I tried to recover. I couldn’t believe I was forced to stop. I wanted to choose when I would say enough. But my football career is over.”
He was shown a video celebrating his career.
