France legend Franck Ribery reveals he almost had his leg AMPUTATED because of flesh-eating an infection
- Franck Ribery retired in 2022 following a short stint with Italian side Salernitana
- The Frenchman says he was hospitalised and almost lost a leg following surgery
- LISTEN NOW: It’s All Kicking Off! Is England’s squad good enough to win the World Cup?
Bayern Munich and France legend Franck Ribery has revealed he almost had his leg amputated towards the end of his career.
Ribery is best known for his time in Germany where he won the Bundesliga on nine occasions during his time at Bayern.
He asserted himself as one of the best wingers of his generation and also earned 81 caps for France.
The 41-year-old called time on his career in 2022 following a one-year stint with Italian side Salernitana, having been hampered by injuries throughout an illustrious 22-year career.
Ribery has revealed how he almost lost his leg that year after suffering from a flesh-eating leg infection following an operation on his knee.
In an interview with AS, he said: ‘My knee was getting more and more painful. I no longer trained between matches but recovered to preserve myself.
Ex-Bayern Munich and France star Franck Ribery has revealed he almost had his leg amputated
Ribery called time on his career in 2022 following a one-year stint with Italian side Salernitana
The Frenchman has revealed he almost lost a leg that year after suffering from a flesh-eating leg infection
‘I would take two days off, then three or four. I lost my rhythm to save myself. Then the tests revealed I had no cartilage left. I had surgery in Austria. The operation went well, with a plate placed inside.
‘Almost five months later, I had a severe infection. I took pills for two months. The plaque was removed.
‘The infection had eaten away at me. It was so severe that I had holes all over my leg. I had contracted Staphylococcus aureus.
‘I was hospitalized in Austria for twelve days. I was really scared. They almost cut my leg off.’
Overall, Ribery made 425 appearances for Bayern, scoring 124 goals between 2007 and 2019. He also won the Champions League with the German giants in 2013 when they beat domestic rivals Borussia Dortmund in the final.
When he was released by the club in 2019, he moved to Fiorentina and then joined Salernitana but was only able to start 17 league games in 2021-22 due to injuries. He was part of the squad that made the final of the 2006 World Cup, when France were beaten on penalties by Italy.
His highest individual accolade saw him finish third in the Ballon d’Or vote in 2013 behind Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
