Franck Ribery is among the many football lovers eagerly counting down the hours until the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™ gets under way. One of France’s finest footballing talents, the erstwhile attacker, who was capped 81 times by his country, will be delighted that the wait is almost over, with the new 32-team FIFA club extravaganza now upon us. Indeed, the global bonanza kicks off on Saturday with a blockbuster bout between Al Ahly FC and Inter Miami CF.
Action-packed group-stage matches will then come thick and fast, meaning that the former flanker will not have long to wait before seeing his beloved Bayern München in action. The Bundesliga heavyweights are set to open their campaign against Auckland City FC at Cincinnati’s TQL Stadium. Drawn in a formidable-looking Group C, the Bavarians will then pit their wits against Argentina’s CA Boca Juniors before facing off against Portuguese powerhouses SL Benfica.
“I think it’s a tough group,” Ribery told FIFA. “Bayern are probably the favourites, but it’s a bit like the [UEFA] Champions League in that there’s no such thing as an easy match. If you’re not fully focused and go into any game thinking it’ll be a walk in the park, you’re asking for trouble.”
It will come as no surprise that Ribery will be one of Bayern’s chief cheerleaders at the forthcoming showpiece event. Although his glittering career featured notable spells at Metz, Fiorentina and Olympique de Marseille, amongst others, the most glorious chapter of the former French international’s journey was undoubtedly written at the German club.
He served the Bavarian outfit with distinction for 12 years, chalking up over 400 appearances and giving every last ounce in his quest for silverware. The pint-sized ace won it all, with his trophy haul including nine Bundesliga titles, six German Cups and the small matter of the UEFA Champions League crown in 2013.
The icing on Ribery’s cake came on the global stage with the triumph secured in the tournament now known as the FIFA Intercontinental Cup™ in an unforgettable campaign on Moroccan soil. “I’ll never forget 2013. It was the best year of my life,” confided the ex-Bayern stalwart. “We had a blast in Marrakech. We won the trophy [courtesy of a 2-0 win in the final against Morocco’s Raja Casablanca], and I was named player of the tournament. That meant a lot to me.”
Some 12 years on, an entirely different prospect awaits the serial silverware snarers in the shape of the groundbreaking FIFA Club World Cup™ that Ribery would have relished the opportunity to have graced in his playing days. “There’ll be a lot of top teams and big names, and I think it’s great for the American fans to see matches being played in their own backyard,” he explained. “If Bayern are at the top of their game, the players have what it takes to win it. There are clearly other contenders in the mix, but I’m obviously hoping that Bayern go all the way and bring the title home.”
Although he was reluctant to offer any other predictions, Ribery did confess that, in addition to the club he once served so loyally, he is going to be keenly tracking the progress of the two Argentinian representatives: CA River Plate and, in particular, Boca Juniors who – by the luck of the draw – will do battle with Bayern in their second outing.
“I’m a huge Boca Juniors fan – I really love them,” revealed the ex-Marseille icon. “I hope to visit Argentina one day because the vibe out there is amazing. I’m sure they [Boca] have a real shot at winning it [the Club World Cup]. Their approach, mentality and mindset are all top-notch. It’ll be a serious test for Boca Juniors, but the same goes for Bayern and any other team for that matter. It’s hard to predict the winners, or even how far teams are going to progress. I’ll try to follow the action, but to keep my emotions in check.”
Ribery is certainly well-placed to comment on emotionally charged moments at FIFA tournaments, having memorably opened the scoring for France in their 3-1 round-of-16 win over Spain at the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany™.
Speaking of moving occasions, the Les Bleus great will also be watching his friend Thomas Muller’s Bayern swansong with particular interest.
“He’s a club legend. We were team-mates for many years, he’s a top player and a great guy for whom I’ve got a lot of respect. I hope the players give a good account of themselves, not only for Thomas, but also for themselves and for the club.”
