Ex-Bayern Winger Riberry reveals that the leg was almost amputated and calls in 2013 Ballon d’Or a “injustice”

Former French Frenchman, Franck Riberry, has revealed that he was close to having his leg amputated at the end of his career due to a post-surgery infection and admitted that he did not win the 2013 Gold Ballon or “a persistent injustice.”

Riberry, who spent 12 of his 22 years of career at Bayern Munich, retired from professional football in 2022 after being 81 times for blues.

The striker, known for his pace and traps on the pitch, enjoyed a brilliant spell on German giants, gaining 23 trophies that include nine Bundesliga titles and Champions League in 2013.

Her career also included spells in Marseille and Fiorentina and was part of the squad of France that ended the runner -up in the 2006 World Cup, losing in Italy for penalties in the final.

Pure nostalgie. 🥹#Fcbayern #Masanmia pic.twitter.com/omcezmz2q7

– FC Bayern Munich (@fcbayern) March 22, 2025

But the end of Riberry’s career was affected by injuries, and, speaking with the French departure, the team, the 41 -year -old, revealed that he almost lost his leg after suffering an infection to eat meat that required surgery.

“My knee hurts me more and more,” said Riberry. “I was no longer training between games, but I recovered to protect -me.

“I passed under the knife in Austria. The operation went well, with a plaque inserted inside. But I had a bad infection almost five months later.

“I was taken out of the dish, but the infection had eaten me. It was so bad that I had holes in my leg. I had hired Staphylococcus aureus.

“I spent 12 days in the emergency room of the Hospital of Austria. I was very scared. They could have been cut off my leg.”

Despite a great success in Germany, Riberry admitted that he is still concerned about losing Cristiano Ronaldo at the 2013 Golden Ballon.

The Frenchman was a key figure in the Bayern winning campaign that year, when the voting period for the concession was controversial for two weeks due to an apparent lack of eligible voters.

Riberry, who finally finished third behind Lionel Messi, said: “I had everything, except this prize that year.

“It was the perfect year; it couldn’t work better. This Ballon of O O will always be a persistent injustice.

“I am still looking for an explanation, although some have offered their prey. I will never understand why the vote was delayed for more than two weeks, when I was leading among journalists. If the vote had taken place as it should, it would have won.”