hahaha yeah right
Franck Ribery has said that he can be as good as Lionel Messi if he stays injury-free and plays under the right coach.
The 28-year-old winger has been plagued by fitness problems over the past two seasons and Bayern Munich have missed his influence. "In my first two years (at Bayern) the level I played at was really unbelievable," the France international said in an interview with Sport Bild.
"Messi has now shown that for three or four years in a row. That is fantastic. I have spoke with his Barcelona team-mate (Eric) Abidal (Ribery's France team-mate) a lot about Messi's game. He told me that Messi's mentality is outstanding, he always stays relaxed.
If I am 100 per cent fit again and free in my head, have a good relationship with the coach - so if the base is right - I can reach Messi's level.
Franck Ribery
"That is the only way to achieve a high level of performance over a long period. If I am 100 per cent fit again and free in my head, have a good relationship with the coach - so if the base is right - I can reach Messi's level. That is not in question for me."
Ribery feels Bayern's new coach Jupp Heynckes, whom he has compared to former boss Ottmar Hitzfeld, could be the one to get the best out of him. "Under Jupp Heynckes at the moment I often think of Hitzfeld," Ribery added.
"He has the same strengths, speaks to the players a lot and allows them their freedom on the pitch. That is exactly what I need. I feel free again, able to show what I have to offer. I trust myself again to take on challenging dribbles or play a dangerous pass."
Franck Ribery has said that he can be as good as Lionel Messi if he stays injury-free and plays under the right coach.
The 28-year-old winger has been plagued by fitness problems over the past two seasons and Bayern Munich have missed his influence. "In my first two years (at Bayern) the level I played at was really unbelievable," the France international said in an interview with Sport Bild.
"Messi has now shown that for three or four years in a row. That is fantastic. I have spoke with his Barcelona team-mate (Eric) Abidal (Ribery's France team-mate) a lot about Messi's game. He told me that Messi's mentality is outstanding, he always stays relaxed.
If I am 100 per cent fit again and free in my head, have a good relationship with the coach - so if the base is right - I can reach Messi's level.
Franck Ribery
"That is the only way to achieve a high level of performance over a long period. If I am 100 per cent fit again and free in my head, have a good relationship with the coach - so if the base is right - I can reach Messi's level. That is not in question for me."
Ribery feels Bayern's new coach Jupp Heynckes, whom he has compared to former boss Ottmar Hitzfeld, could be the one to get the best out of him. "Under Jupp Heynckes at the moment I often think of Hitzfeld," Ribery added.
"He has the same strengths, speaks to the players a lot and allows them their freedom on the pitch. That is exactly what I need. I feel free again, able to show what I have to offer. I trust myself again to take on challenging dribbles or play a dangerous pass."
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