Interview: I don't feel like a genius, say Ribery

Following is an interview on French star winger Franck Ribery of FC Bayern Munich:

By Oliver Trust

Xinhua: Mr. Ribery, what about calling you a genius?

Ribery (laughing): "Feel free to do that, I don't know anyone who doesn't mind hearing words like those."

And are you a genius?

Ribery: "I wouldn't call myself a genius. For me, geniuses are people who cure heart diseases or other serious illness. And many others that work hard to manage their daily lives."

Xinhua: Well, football fans, especially Bayern fans, feel you are a genius when watching you on the pitch.

Ribery: "That is something that makes me happy. Perhaps you could call me a special player but as for a genius, I really don't feel like one ... "

Xinhua: but ...

Ribery: "I like this quick man-on-man game, and I love to do special things when the situation gets tricky and you only see a small chance of honing in on goal or going down the flanks."

Xinhua: That sounds pretty much like a genius.

Ribery: "I don't have a special game plan to fall back on, meaning, if there are two in front of me, I do this, if it is only one, I do this. It's something that's inside me and I don't have a series of moves from let's say one to ten. A lot of things are intuitive. And it's something that's strongly connected to my emotions about football. I need to be emotional with football, and I like to have fun and see the people have fun."

Xinhua: But the genius Franck Ribery ...

Ribery (laughing): "Genius again? Ok, I give up..."

Xinhua: Ok, let us try again and say Bayern needs players like you and Arjen Robben to win the Champions League?

Ribery: "That might be right, but every team needs 11 players and more. And the world's best teams have, what you call, special players. Many opponents look at our line-up and say, we only have a chance to win when we have a strong defense. To get to the top as a team, you have to deal with that. And ok, to be able to do so, you need players with special skills."

Xinhua: So you agree, Bayern needs Robben and Ribery to be successful?

Ribery: "Yes, and a good goalkeeper, and a good defense, and a creative midfield and players that can score goals and a coach, whose heart is full of passion and his head full of ideas about tactics and different systems that are useful for your game. But you could say, Arjen and I, we love risky situations maybe more than others, and we do everything to get through. And maybe there are not many like us in football."

Xinhua: But that means at the same time, you could fail and then you are the focus of criticism?

Ribery: "When you play like we do, you don't think about what comes afterwards. If you start to think about that then you've failed already. When we start to run with the ball at our feet, we want the best for our team, and ourselves."

Xinhua: Sometimes we see an aggressive Franck Ribery.

Ribery: "Well it's a part of my game too. Your opponents are not on the pitch to applaud you when you go by them, they want to stop you. And there's another thing we have to mention."

Xinhua: Ok?

Ribery: "Players like Arjen and me come in for some touch treatment. Some are really going for us. After most games, I look like I've fallen off a rock, my body is full of scratches and bruises."

Xinhua: Meaning it's not always fun to be a special player?

Ribery (laughing): "No, but I won't change. Changing would mean, Franck Ribery is not Franck Ribery anymore."

Xinhua: At the moment Robben, Ribery and David Alaba are sidelined due to injury. It could be a problem as important games are on your club's schedule in the next weeks and months?

Ribery: "I hope Arjen and I will be back soon, and David get back as soon as possible. It is not an easy situation to be in but again it is something you learn to deal with when you're getting growing older, just take things as they are and still try to find the best solution. Bayern has a squad with high quality, and with Pep Guardiola in charge we have a coach that knows what to do. But, you are right, when things get tight in when things come to the crunch, I hope we can help to win the titles we are all aiming at. Without Arjen Robben and me our game is different, it needs to be different, maybe like the game in Dortmund last weekend."

Xinhua: Some speak about the "golden generation" of Bayern, meaning there are several players with a certain age?

Ribery: "But even for us, there's another chance to win a title. We are all doing everything we possibly can to top the season off by winning the Champions League. But as I said there is a next season. One thing is for sure: When you have won the Champions League once you want to win it again. It is a tremendous feeling."

Xinhua: What are your plans after your career?

Ribery: "To be honest I don't have a clue. My current contract runs until 2017 and that is some time to go. So I'm waiting to see what comes next and do not think about the future at the moment."

Xinhua: Your life has not always been easy. When you were 24, you were working as a builder.

Ribery (laughing): "Maybe genius is right after all when I think about it. I don't know if my teammates would be able to build a house or a street, I have to ask them. But seriously, I know what football and Bayern Munich have given me. I know it's nothing you can take for granted. There was the car accident when I was two and my scars remind me of the fact that I've always had to fight and that everything that's happened at Bayern is like a dream."

Xinhua: There was a time at Bayern when you didn't feel too well, and you wanted to leave?

Ribery: "It took a while until I felt as happy as I do today, including my family. I am extremely thankful for what Bayern has done for me, and that makes me want to give back as much as I can. At the moment all that counts is Bayern and I want to finish my career here in Munich."

Xinhua: Real Madrid wanted to sign you when you were unhappy, especially when Louis van Gaal was Bayern coach?

Ribery: "Yes I have heard about that but I can only say thank you Bayern again, they said no to a change. Looking at it now it was a good decision. But it's history now."

Xinhua: Are we seeing the best ever Ribery at the moment?

Ribery: "Maybe you can say that. It's very important for me to feel at home and I do feel very much at home in this city and in this club. I can feel the deep respect of the people and that the club trusts me. It is a family-like feeling. Munich is a great city to live in especially when you have kids."

Xinhua: Are they football fans or just fans of dad?

Ribery: "They are fans of my club and (laughing) sometimes of me -- no I love them and my family is the most important thing for me. It's great seeing them feel so much at home here in Munich, they are doing well at school and have German friends. My son Salif could even play for Germany. That is a thrilling thought to me. He will be four years old in September and has a great left foot."

Xinhua: Let's talk about schooling young footballer players. Bayern will go on a major China tour this summer when they will play three games. China, renowned for its passion for sport, has revealed its plans to develop it's football intensively in the near future.

Ribery: "We talked about the summer tour several times as we know there are many millions of football and Bayern fans in China. And we can well remember the country's enthusiasm about football from Bayern's last tour. I think it's a great idea to develop football in a country like China. There must be many talented youngsters because there are many people. And I can say, football is a great game and one of the most popular sports around the world and it gives people so much."

Xinhua: What is, from your perspective, the most important thing for youngsters as far as football is concerned?

Ribery (smiling): "To play where ever you are. I remember myself. We played all day long. But you should not forget about schoolwork and your education generally. I have to say that I'm a father and my kids might read this. Football is a team sport and to work together in a team is something that gives you so much for your entire life. You learn a lot about discipline and you learn to work for your goals in life."

Xinhua: Speaking of Bayern's China tour. Do you like travelling?

Ribery: "I've learned one important thing in life: Respect everybody, no matter where on this planet. I always stop to do photos with fans and give autographs. It's not only a part of the job, and it is more than just an obligation too, it's fun meeting people and have a little chat with them."

Xinhua: So you are looking forward to Bayern's China tour?

Ribery: "I remember the great enthusiasm from last time. And that's exactly what I feel about football. It's a great feeling when people like you and your game. As I said, football is the most popular game around the world, and Bayern is one of the best clubs with a very special corporate identity. (Laughing) And on top of everything, I play for Bayern."

Xinhua: And you are after all a genius?

Ribery: "Sometime I feel like an old man but one who's still got the burning desire to win a lot more titles." Endi