Bayern Munich and France football legend Franck Ribery has shared that he nearly had his leg amputated toward the end of his career due to a flesh-eating infection. Ribery, widely regarded as one of the best wingers of his generation, enjoyed a stellar career, winning the Bundesliga nine times with Bayern Munich and earning 81 caps for France.
The 41-year-old retired in 2022 after a 22-year career, with his final year spent at Italian club Salernitana, where injuries plagued his performance. In an interview with AS, Ribery revealed the frightening details of a severe infection he contracted after undergoing knee surgery in Austria.
“My knee was getting more and more painful. I couldn’t train between matches and had to preserve myself,” Ribery explained. “The operation went well, but almost five months later, I suffered a serious infection caused by Staphylococcus aureus. It was so severe that I had holes all over my leg, and they almost amputated it.”
The infection required a 12-day hospitalization, and the French star admitted he was terrified during the ordeal. Despite the challenges, Ribery’s legacy remains intact, having made 425 appearances for Bayern Munich and scoring 124 goals. He also won the Champions League in 2013 and finished third in the Ballon d’Or that same year behind Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
After leaving Bayern in 2019, Ribery joined Fiorentina and later Salernitana, but injuries limited his playing time. He was also part of the France squad that reached the final of the 2006 World Cup, narrowly losing to Italy on penalties.