Franck Ribery, currently playing on Bayern Munich as a left winger, will not be playing for France in Brazil due to a back-injury that has afflicted the French player since May 17, during Bayern's DFB-Pokal final on May 17.
The French winger, arguably the best player on les Blues, released some statements with regards to his ability to play in the upcoming World Cup, on the French Football Federation's official website. Ribery stated:
“It is like a death in the soul that I am forced to leave the France team and give up on the World Cup.”
Players from all over the World wished Ribery well on Twitter
WM-Aus für Franck #Ribéry! Mehr Infos: http://t.co/GAeJeFQJ8I Wir wünschen unserer #7 gute Besserung! pic.twitter.com/BAz7IlndsR
— FC Bayern München (@FCBayern) June 6, 2014
Get well soon #FranckRibery !!! All the best for you!!! #staystrong
— Holger Badstuber (@Badstuber) June 6, 2014
I am sad and disappointed that my friend @RiberyOfficiel will not play the @fifaworldcup_pt in Brazil. pic.twitter.com/w4LmmcxbVJ
— Dante Bonfim Costa (@dante_bonfim) June 6, 2014
Tout mon soutien à mon fréro @RiberyOfficiel #EDF
— Eric Abidal (@EAbidalOfficial) June 6, 2014
Further, Bayern’s talent said:
“[W]hen I pushed it physically on Friday morning it aggravated my back pain. The MRI scan confirmed those feelings and therefore my inability to train and play normally.”
Ribery was not able to play any of the recent friendlies for France
Didier Deschamps also commented on the situation and could hardly hide his disappointment. Former Olympic Marseille’s manager revealed:
“We know what Franck is capable of. But I have other players. With Franck Ribery at 100pc, we are better. But we have to be ambitious and we will continue to be.”
Deschamps was hoping for a miraculous recovery of talisman Franck Ribery
France suffered another loss recently, with Clement Grenier out for a thigh injury. Montpellier's Remy Cabella and Southampton's Morgan Schneiderlin will replace Ribery and Grenier.
Third in line for the Balon d'Or behind Ronaldo and Messi, Ribery was France's most important player
