Franck Ribery shall go down in history as the only player who had a legitimate chance at beating Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, at the peak of their powers, for the FIFA Ballon d’Or award, but lost because the value of goals is more than anything else in the football fraternity.
When he arrived in the scene as a young talent, the expectation that was placed in his shoulders was incredible—and rightfully so. Given the talent that he possessed, one could sense that a great future lay ahead of him, something that transformed to be true.
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Now, at the final years of his career, he is still going strong and it will be a few years before his legs start to betray his mind. Today, Ribery celebrates his 33rd birthday and we celebrate his birthday by listing down 8 relatively unknown facts about him…
1) His scar
He is someone who is not shy to speak about the event that made him a stronger person. As he was travelling in a car with his family in his hometown Boulogne-sur-Mer in France, an incoming lorry hit the car and sent him flying through the windshield.
The terrifying part was that he was seated in the backseat and wasn’t wearing a seatbelt, which made the event more horrific for the then 2 year old. The wounds he sustained on his face required almost a 100 stitches, but Ribery is proud of it.
“The problem was that I was sitting in the back and I went flying forward on impact. In a certain way this accident helped me. As a child, it motivated me.”
“God gave me this difference. The scars are part of me, and people will just have to take me the way I am.”
“I’m proud of my scar. It gave me strength and forged my character. You have to be mentally strong to withstand the ridicule of other children and the stares of adults.”
“So here I am. This is my face, it is the one people know me be. I am happy with my face. Why shouldn’t I be happy?”
2) Conversion of faith
Franck Ribery was born in a Christian family in a relatively low-income neighbourhood. However, he converted to Islam after marrying his Muslim wife Wahiba. The two lovers first met as teenagers in his Chermin-vert neighbourhood and became one when they bound themselves in the bond of marriage.
And Ribery found a new faith to lead his life when he converted to a Muslim. Indeed, he raises his hands to Allah before the start of every game. His Muslim name is Bilal Yousuf Mohammad.
3) Second non-German
The German league is predominantly ruled by German players. Unlike the Premier League, where the reliance on foreign player is heavy, the German Bundesliga relies on its very own rather than buying foreign exports.
A testament to that can be found when you see the list of the players who won the player of year in Bundesliga. Only two non-Germans have won the accolade and Ribery finds his place among them.
The former Marselle star become the second ever foreign player to win the German Football of the Year in 2007-08, an honour that was first won by Brazilian striker Ailon 4 years ago.
4) Owns an alcohol-free bar
As a devout Muslim, Franck Ribery stays away from the toxic drinks that are barred for the followers of Islam. But that didn’t stop him from opening a bar; although a non-alcohol one.
In 2012 in his hometown, he open this alcohol-free bar and named it O’Shahiz; after his two daughters, Shahinez and Hizya. The alcohol-free bar serves only juice and soft drinks.
5) The Ferrari
Franck Ribery might not be the blazing fast player that he once was and, to be fair, one can’t be expected to run at lightning fast pace when he is approaching his mid-30s.
However, when he was at the peak of his physical fitness, he could accelerate like no other player. The way he got to full speed shot fans to the edge of their seats as watching him do that alone was a thing of severe excitement.
And it is for this reason that his Turkish fans gave him the name Ferrari-bery.
6) The highest paid
Bayern Munich are a club of incredible financial power. They outmuscle every other club in Germany with the riches they have and are among the richest clubs in the world.
So it is of no wonder, then, they are not shy to pay their players the high amount of money that their status warrants. In 2010, Franck Ribery became the highest paid player in the history of Bayern Munich when he signed a deal worth 10 million Euros a year.
He might be in his 30s now, but he still remains the highest paid player at the club.
7) The prankster
Franck Ribery might come off as a serious man who doesn’t like to joke much. One can’t be blamed for thinking that given the way the Bayern man complained about not winning the Ballon d’Or despite having a stellar season.
However, it is far from true.
He is, by far, the biggest prankster in the Munich squad as he has played a great many pranks on almost everyone in the team, including the coaches even.
And apparently, his favourite victim is Arjen Robben.
Happy birthday, Franck Ribery! Here’s hoping that nobody pranks you smashing the cake against your face!
