Franck Ribery, a former France and Bayern Munich attacking midfielder, announced his retirement from football on Friday due to a persistent knee injury that kept him out of action for Serie A club Salernitana.

"The ball stops. The feelings inside me do not," 39-year-old Ribery wrote on social media in English, French, Italian and German.

"Thanks to everyone for this great adventure," he added.

Ribery hasn't played for Salernitana, which he joined in 2021, since their opening day loss to Roma, and his retirement has been speculated about for several weeks.

Now that Ribery has decided to retire, he could take up a managerial position at Salernitana. 

The Italian football club confirmed earlier this month that they were in talks with Ribery regarding a position at the club.

Ribery was a World Cup runner-up with France in 2006, but his greatest achievements came at Bayern Munich, where he won nine league titles and the Champions League in 12 seasons.

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