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The Week in Germany: Sports

May 2, 2008

Franck Ribery Dazzles German Soccer

Frank Ribery © picture-alliance / dpa

The German soccer community was still taking a deep bow before Franck Ribery last week.

"Franck Ribery has changed the Bundesliga and Bayern Munich in just one season," said the Sueddeutsche Zeitung (SZ) daily.

Mass circulation paper Bild simply titled a story "Merci Ribery."

The French midfielder only underlined his role as the top attraction of the Bundesliga on Sunday, April 27 when he came off the bench to score twice in a 4-1 demolition of VfB Stuttgart with which Munich effectively clinched another Bundesliga title.

Italian teammate Luca Toni may be almost even more valuable for Munich with his 21 league-leading goals, but it is Ribery who has electrified the fans with a skill not seen in the German top flight for years.

"There was something like a circus atmosphere when Ribery came on. The fans really get a treat here," said Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.

That was exactly what the club leadership had in mind when it dished out more than 70 million euros (109.4 million dollars) for new players like Miroslav Klose, Toni and Ribery after a poor 2007 campaign.

Ribery, 27, is the most expensive soccer player in Munich history as his move from Olympique Marselle cost them 25 million euros.

The biggest investment in Munich club history was not only to restore success but also to entertain the fans who had not necessarily been treated to spectacular soccer in recent years - despite all of Munich's success.

Ribery was an instant hit and even managed to get opposing fans on their feet - something rarely achieved as Munich are either loved or hated.

"Ribery has changed the league. The league bows before this player in such a way that it can't even begrudge Bayern the title," said the SZ.

A long-range blast high into the net against Stuttgart was the latest super-goal for the Frenchman who has remained modest despite the hype.

"I am a simple person," said Ribery. "I never really considered how things would be in Munich. I simply wanted to play soccer and have fun." (dpa)

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