Franck Ribery Reveals How Botched Knee Surgery Nearly Cost Him His Leg

Munich, Germany — Legendary Bayern Munich winger, Franck Ribery, has opened up about a terrifying health ordeal that nearly led to the amputation of his leg following a botched knee surgery. The revelation, which came during an interview with French outlet L’Equipe, has stunned fans worldwide and sparked conversations about the medical care athletes receive during their careers.

Ribery, considered one of the greatest French players of all time, recalled how what should have been a standard procedure turned into a nightmare when a serious infection spread across his knee, leaving him with ‘holes’ in his leg. The infection, identified as Staphylococcus aureus, grew so severe that medical professionals contemplated amputating his leg to prevent the spread.

The 41-year-old described his frightening experience:

“My knee hurt more and more. I was no longer training between matches but rather recovering to protect myself. I went under the knife in Austria. The operation went well, with a plate inserted inside. But I had a bad infection almost five months later.
They removed the plate, but the infection had eaten away at me. It was so bad that I had holes in my leg. I had contracted Staphylococcus aureus.
I was in the emergency room at the hospital in Austria for 12 days. I was really scared. They could have cut off my leg.”

A Glittering Career Marred By Injury

Ribery’s illustrious career saw him spend 12 years at Bayern Munich (2007 – 2019), where he scored 124 goals and provided 182 assists in 425 appearances. His incredible record includes nine Bundesliga titles, one UEFA Champions League title, and six DFB-Pokal titles, making him a true legend of the club.

After leaving Bayern Munich, Ribery continued his professional career in Italy with Fiorentina and later Salernitana. Unfortunately, it was during his time with Salernitana that the knee injury resurfaced, ultimately forcing him to retire from professional football.

Opinion: Athlete Health – Are Clubs Doing Enough?

Ribery’s chilling ordeal raises some serious questions about how well clubs and medical teams manage player injuries, particularly during and after surgical procedures. How did things go so wrong that a simple procedure nearly cost the star his leg?

Top-tier athletes like Ribery are investments for their clubs, but they are also human beings whose health and well-being should be the priority. While the surgery may have been conducted with the best intentions, the post-operative infection points to a potential lack of adequate monitoring and follow-up care.

It also highlights a broader issue within the sporting world: How many players have suffered serious health complications due to inadequate or rushed medical treatments? And are clubs doing enough to ensure that players receive the best care possible, not just for the sake of their careers but for their lives beyond football?

Franck Ribery’s resilience in the face of such a terrifying experience is admirable. But his story serves as a wake-up call for better standards in athlete healthcare. The focus must be on prevention, early detection, and proper management of post-operative complications to avoid disastrous outcomes.

What are your thoughts on Ribery’s ordeal? And do you think clubs need to rethink how they handle player health and recovery?