Bayern star Ribery relishing PSG clash

Franck Ribery was part of the Bayern team which beat Borussia Dortmund 2-1 in the 2013 Champions League final in London when Arjen Robben scored the winner.

Published : Sep 07, 2017 17:22 IST , Berlin

Ribery hopes to be offered a contract extension with fellow veteran winger Robben also out of contract in June 2018.
Ribery hopes to be offered a contract extension with fellow veteran winger Robben also out of contract in June 2018.
lightbox-info

Ribery hopes to be offered a contract extension with fellow veteran winger Robben also out of contract in June 2018.

Franck Ribery is relishing Bayern Munich's Champions League showdown against Paris Saint-Germain with the French veteran insisting he will not retire even if the Germans win this season's European title.

Bayern is at Hoffenheim on Saturday in the Bundesliga, but opens its Champions League campaign at home to Anderlecht next Tuesday having also drawn Paris Saint-Germain and Celtic, which faces the French league giant in Glasgow on the same day.

PSG then hosts Carlo Ancelotti's Bayern at the Parc des Princes on September 27 in a key showdown which could decide Group B.

"Paris is a lot stronger than last season, it will be a super game. I hope we are all in top form. And we need to go out thinking 'we're Bayern. We fear no one. Wherever we play, we win'," Ribery told German daily Bild .

"Anyone who fears Paris, stays in Munich."

Last month, PSG paid 222 million euros ($266 million) for Neymar and signed French striker Kylian Mbappe on loan with an option to buy him next year in a deal that could reach 180 million euros.

Ousmane Dembele cost Barcelona 148 million euros from Borussia Dortmund as the Catalan giant seeks to replace Neymar.

Ribery said inflated transfer fees are a sign of the times.

"I can only say that those responsible need to understand again that playing football is a joy, it's fun and you play for your shirt and for the fans," he commented.

"I don't know what I'd have been worth when I was 25, perhaps a lot of money, but it doesn't matter.

"When I wanted to be a professional, my aim was to play on television, so my family could see me. I didn't play for money."

The 34-year-old Ribery has been at Bayern since 2007 and his current contract expires next June.

He was part of the Bayern team which beat Borussia Dortmund 2-1 in the 2013 Champions League final in London when Arjen Robben scored the winner.

However, former France star Ribery says he will not hang up his boots even if the Bavarians lift the trophy in next May's final in Kiev.

"I want to win the Champions League once more. That is my dream! That is my adrenalin, my motivation," he said.

"I also can't say if this will be my last season.

"I am fit and healthy, I can still play for two or three years. I love football. I don't want to sit at home, I want to play."

Ribery hopes to be offered a contract extension with fellow veteran winger Robben also out of contract in June 2018.

"I have been here for ten years, Arjen for eight," said Ribery.

"We have always fought hard and won a lot.

"I think the fans and the club can be very happy with us."

Sign in to unlock all user benefits
  • Get notified on top games and events
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign up / manage to our newsletters with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early bird access to discounts & offers to our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide to our community guidelines for posting your comment