Bayern Munich: Franck Ribery comments on Arjen Robben departure

Franck Ribery recently commented on Arjen Robben’s Bayern Munich departure after spending nearly a decade with the Dutchman at the club.

Arjen Robben announced a few months ago that this season will be his last at Bayern Munich. After spending nearly a decade with Die Roten, the Dutchman recognizes that it is time to move on. Though many expect Franck Ribery, his long-term partner in crime, to follow suit, the Frenchman has not yet given any solid details about his plans for the future.

A few weeks ago, Ribery made a statement that suggested his time at Bayern could be coming to an end sooner rather than later as well. However, the 35-year-old is reportedly keen on signing another contract with the Bavarians.

Regardless of the decision Franck Ribery makes concerning his future, one thing is certain: the Robbery days at Bayern Munich are coming to an end. Speaking recently with Bild, the Frenchman opened up on his teammate’s impending departure.

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"“That’s a pity! But that’s football, that’s life. We still have a few months together, and we have to focus on the pitch.”"

Together in their prime, Robben and Ribery formed one of the deadliest wing duos in history of the game. Even well into their 30s, both players are still capable of producing some magic on their day.

Though Robben has spent much of this season so far injured, Ribery turned up big time for his club across the past month, putting in a handful of performances that rolled back the years. Bayern’s longest standing first team member hopes to continue doing the same in the second half of the season, as his team chases Bundesliga leaders Borussia Dortmund.

"“We want to carry on as we have been: play and win.“Of course, we are six points behind Dortmund, but there are still many games. The team is much better. We are having more fun and have our confidence back — you can see that on the pitch.”"

The Bavarians have broken through their mini-crisis that threatened to turn this season into a disaster. They are still second in the Bundesliga, but they seem far more likely to challenge BVB for the title than they did midway through the first half of the season.

Should Bayern win the German title yet again, it would be Ribery’s ninth — making him the most successful player in the history of the league. If he can replicate the performances he gave toward the end of the Hinrunde, he’ll have a much better chance of claiming that title.