September 2 – UEFA president Michel Platini has expressed his surprise at compatriot Franck Ribery’s decision to retire from international football at the age of 31 rather than play at his home Euros in 2016.
Ribéry, Europe’s player of the year last year and third in the voting for world player, missed this summer’s World Cup in Brazil after suffering a back injury in training and announced earlier this month he was hanging up his international boots after winning 81 caps.
Ribery was once described by former French talisman Zinedine Zidane as “the jewel of French football” and Platini says the Bayern Munich star’s decision came far too prematurely. “I’m truly surprised that with the Euros in France, Franck is taking that kind of decision,” said Platini.
He hinted there may have been a different motive rather than Ribery calling it day simply to allow the new generation of French players to take over and concentrate on his club career.
“Something very strong has happened here because he’s a great player,” said Platini.
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