Bayern Strikes
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Bayern Munich: Top 7 foreign players in 21st century

By Kiran Thakare

MUNICH, GERMANY - MARCH 07: (BILD ZEITUNG OUT) supporters of Bayern Muenchen II with flags during the 3. Liga match between Bayern Muenchen II and SG Sonnenhof Grossaspach at Stadion an der Gruenwalder Straße on March 7, 2020 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Roland Krivec/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
MUNICH, GERMANY - MARCH 07: (BILD ZEITUNG OUT) supporters of Bayern Muenchen II with flags during the 3. Liga match between Bayern Muenchen II and SG Sonnenhof Grossaspach at Stadion an der Gruenwalder Straße on March 7, 2020 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Roland Krivec/DeFodi Images via Getty Images) /
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BERLIN, GERMANY – MAY 25: Franck Ribery of FC Bayern Muenchen controls the ball during the DFB Cup final between RB Leipzig and Bayern Muenchen at Olympiastadion on May 25, 2019, in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images)
BERLIN, GERMANY – MAY 25: Franck Ribery of FC Bayern Muenchen controls the ball during the DFB Cup final between RB Leipzig and Bayern Muenchen at Olympiastadion on May 25, 2019, in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images) /

Franck Ribery

Die Roten decided to improve their attack in 2007 by paying a club-record transfer fee for Marseille’s Franck Ribery. The Frenchman had delivered top performances in Ligue 1, and numerous clubs were showing interest in him. The transfer fee was huge at that time, but Ribery managed to show that it was a bargain as seasons went by.

Ribery primarily operated on the left flank. His trickery and pace made him a lethal forward. Along with the traits of an orthodox winger, Ribery was also very efficient in the final third. He was good at spotting runs from the striker and deliver pinpoint crosses in the box.

The Frenchman also had a knack of scoring big goals when his team needed him the most. It was fitting that he ended his Bayern career by scoring a goal. Ribery was the main for Die Roten in the 2012/13 campaign when the German club won an unprecedented treble. He ended up finishing on the podium at Ballond’Or and UEFA’s best player awards.

Ribery had injury problems after turning 30, but he still delivered when Bayern needed him the most. Bayern decided to move on last year and decided against extending Ribery’s contract. After staying at Bayern for twelve seasons, Ribery bid farewell to the Bavarian faithful. His numbers for Bayern were staggering as he ended up making 306 goal contributions in 425 appearances: justifying his hefty price tag and winning every possible trophy with the club. (Stats Courtesy: Transfermarkt)

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