Sports
How Franck Ribery Got His Facial Scars
In his prime, Franck Ribery was one of the greatest wingers to ever play the game and was unlucky to never win the Ballon d’Or. The Frenchman shone for both club and country during his storied career, capturing the hearts of Bavaria thanks to his partnership with Arjen Robben and the numerous honours he would collect throughout the years.
The 43-year-old, who is still involved in football as technical collaborator of Italian Serie C club Salernitana, is synonymous for not only his incredible talent with the ball at his feet, but also for the noticeable scars across his face.
The story of how the Champions League winner suffered the blemishes is not only a heartbreaking tale, but also a sign of true resilience that would go on to epitomise Ribery’s career.
Ribery’s Life-Changing Childhood Accident
Speaking to Canal Sports+, per the Mirror, Ribery discussed how he never met his biological parents after being left on the door steps of a monastery as a newborn. The trials and tribulations didn’t end there either, as he would later be involved in a car accident when he was two years old that would change his life forever.
An infant Ribery was left with severe cuts on his face following the crash, which saw him collide with a lorry. Because he wasn’t wearing a seatbelt, the French star was catapulted through the car’s windshield. He was rushed to hospital and required 100 stitches.
The former international revealed that as a child, people would stare at his scars and call him ugly, but that he now chooses to look at the positives, stating:
“People would say: ‘Look what he has on his face, look at his head. What is this scar? It’s so ugly.’ Wherever I went, people would look at me. And not because I was a good person or because my name is Franck or was a good footballer, but because of the scar.
“They gave me character and this strength. Because, when you are a child and you have a scar like this, it’s not easy. The way people see you, the comments – my family suffered for this. The people who talk about you are the parents (of other children), and this is very cruel. I never went to a corner and cried, despite suffering.”
In a different interview, Ribery expressed his gratitude for the injuries, saying that they made him more determined as a youngster: “In a certain way this accident helped me. As a child, it motivated me. God gave me this difference. The scars are part of me, and people will just have to take me the way I am.”
Ribery’s Club Career
Having floated around several different French academies, Ribery was handed his big break by Turkish giants Galatasaray in 2005. After a few short months there, he was snapped up by Marseille as the world began to see how talented the winger was. Catching the eye with his dazzling dribbles and creative flair, he left the South of France to join Bayern Munich in 2007, where he spent the majority of his career.
Over 12 years, Ribery’s exceptional playmaking and goalscoring abilities helped Bayern to multiple Bundesliga titles, German Cups, and the Champions League in 2013. His partnership with Arjen Robben, known as “Robbery,” was pivotal in Bayern’s dominance. Despite several major injuries, the Frenchman would go on to become the club’s 15th most capped player.
He called time on his career after short spells in Italy with Fiorentina and Salernitana.
Ribery’s International Career
Debuting in 2006, he quickly became a key player for Les Bleus. Although he never won a major international tournament, he did finish as a runner-up in the first competition in that year’s World Cup. As players such as Zinedine Zidane and Thierry Henry were phased out, Ribery began taking up a more important role in the team.
There was some controversy though. Ribery was one of the stars criticised by former manager Raymond Domenech as the former World Champions suffered an early exit from the 2010 World Cup. He would later apologise for his role in the fiasco, before calling time on his international in 2014, two years before France would reach the Euro 2016 final in their own country.
Sports
Club Open To Tottenham Player Sale For £26M After Contact Made
Tottenham have been handed a boost in their pursuit of one transfer target, but could face a battle to land him over their rivals in the coming weeks in the market.
It’s part of a busy summer for Spurs, as Roberto De Zerbi and the recruitment team have already shifted focus towards rebuilding the squad to avoid a repeat of the consecutive 17th-placed finishes the club have suffered from.
Two deals have already been sealed in the backline, while moves are also being made to sign Savinho and Jan Paul van Hecke in swift fashion.
Other targets are in mind too, with an open race to land a particular forward.
Antonio Vergara Transfer Battle
Tottenham have been linked with a move for Napoli forward Antonio Vergara, as CalcioNapoli24 claims that the club are monitoring a move for the 23-year-old.
Spurs aren’t the only team in the mix, as Como are also eyeing a move as they look to add more homegrown talent to their squad ahead of their move into the Champions League next season.
It’s claimed that the Serie A side have already made contact for the 23-year-old, as the two teams position themselves for a possible deal in the market.
Napoli are believed to be open for a switch in the region of £26 million, which could prove to be a bargain, if Tottenham are able to agree a switch.
It remains to be seen whether De Zerbi’s side will formalise their interest, as Como appear to be pushing ahead with their own move for the forward.
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How Good Is Antonio Vergara?
A move for Vergara could add more attacking depth to the Tottenham forward line, but there are question marks over how well he would adjust to the Premier League.
The 23-year-old can play as both an attacking midfielder and as a right-winger, but he has often been used as a squad player since returning to Napoli from a loan spell at Reggiana.
Last season, Vergara made 19 appearances across all competitions, scoring three goals and assisting four times, with just under 1,000 minutes to his name.
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The former Italy youth international saw his season interrupted by injuries, which certainly didn’t help his case to be a regular starter under Antonio Conte.
At 23, there is room to grow further, but it’s unclear whether Tottenham can take such a risk when they have a squad filled with potential but a lack of quality for the here and now.
Sports
Man Utd Chiefs Now Confident They Will Sign Elliot Anderson
Manchester United are optimistic they will beat their rivals to a key signing this summer, according to The Guardian, as the next phase of the squad rebuild moves into effect.
For Michael Carrick, the summer offers a chance to reflect on a successful stint so far, having returned the Red Devils to the Champions League, before pushing on and finding areas to improve upon.
The recruitment team are already putting plans into place for some key additions to the squad, with the midfield being the main area of focus so far.
Ederson is set to join the club from Atalanta, as Manchester United have agreed the terms of a move and are moving closer to the deal being finalised.
The midfield interest doesn’t stop there, however, as the Red Devils continue to monitor other options, which includes a potential move for Elliot Anderson.
Elliot Anderson To Man United Latest
Anderson appears to be one of the most-wanted stars in the Premier League this summer, after the Nottingham Forest midfielder has shown his class for both club and country – leading to rave reviews and an “elite” description of his performances.
A move appears awkward for a few clubs, after Forest placed a price tag in the region of £100 million on the star, as they brace for interest elsewhere.
Manchester City have already made an offer, which has been rebuffed, as it seemed as though everything was moving towards Anderson joining them.
However, it appears as though there could be a twist in the tale, as the Guardian claims that the Manchester United executives are optimistic that a deal for the midfielder can still be completed.
As it stands, Man City seemingly remain the favourites, but there is belief that the Red Devils will be able to convince the England international that they are the right destination for him.
Perhaps even more importantly, the report claims that Sir Jim Ratcliffe is willing to fund the wage demands of the 23-year-old in the summer window.
It all comes down to whether United can fully convince Anderson that Old Trafford is the ideal destination, even if the project still needs time to build.
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Anderson Is Perfect For Man Utd
As Man United look to improve their midfield ranks, a move for Anderson would appear perfect to help try and set the club up for the short-term and long-term future.
The England star is a generalist, someone who is good at a bit of everything, which is the exact profile that could take the Red Devils to the next level.
The 23-year-old is comfortable evading pressure when building up from deep, has the creative instinct and vision around the box in the final third, and has an engine that allows him to put in a shift when out of possession.
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Much like how Declan Rice helped transform Arsenal, Anderson could end up doing the same for Man United, giving a player who platforms everyone else.
It will be costly, but it could accelerate the project at Old Trafford by a few years.
Sports
Tottenham Want Jean-Matteo Bahoya In Transfer Switch
Tottenham are stepping up their interest in transfer targets, as a report from BILD claims that a winger is back on the club’s radar for this summer.
Spurs have already wasted no time in trying to strengthen Roberto De Zerbi’s squad, adding the free signings of Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi, while progress is being made to try and sign Savinho and Jan Paul van Hecke.
However, after the head coach claimed that “only ten to 12” players were good enough to play for the Lilywhites, there is still work to be done.
That is why Tottenham continue to push forward with a few other key moves, with a winger seemingly on the shortlist for a switch this summer.
Jean-Matteo Bahoya Transfer Move
According to a report from BILD, via Sports Witness, Tottenham are described as “particularly interested” in a move to sign Jean-Matteo Bahoya from Eintracht Frankfurt this summer.
It comes as the Bundesliga outfit are looking to raise funds in the transfer market, with the 21-year-old winger listed as one of three players who could be available in the coming weeks.
North London rivals Arsenal were linked with a potential move for Bahoya, but the report suggests that the Gunners may well have walked away from a move.
The French winger has impressed over the past season, with promising performances in the Bundesliga and the Champions League, suggesting he could become even better in the future.
Bahoya has been described as “unbelievably fast”, potentially adding an injection of pace that Tottenham need in the forward line moving forward.
That said, it remains to be seen whether an offer will be lodged in the coming days and weeks of the market.
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Tottenham Transfer Challenge
While Bahoya may be a promising option for Tottenham, the priority has to be on improving the base quality of the team, not the potential for the future.
Spurs have plenty of young players who could become great, but miss that consistent quality that can often be found with the stars who have experience, particularly in the Premier League.
This approach in signing the likes of Robertson, Senesi, and Van Hecke shows that the club know this, but the same must come from the forward areas.
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Manchester United used this effectively last year, with the signings of Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha for the forward line.
While Savinho has some experience, he still lands more on the side of potential, meaning that Spurs should look to land more immediate forward quality.
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