French football player Ribery says that religion was his privacy and he felt stronger since he preferred Islam.
The Frenchman - who was named the UEFA Best Player in Europe last
season - is among the top contenders along with Barcelona’s Lionel Messi
and Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo, to win the Ballon d’Or on January
13, 2014.
The world famous football player says he is a man of small things: "I
am aware that life consists of small things. That is why I always stand
when someone stops me on the street. I talk to many people. My mission
is to make people happy."
He says his family was as a child and that his father taught him to respect people:
"My father worked a lot for us. He gave me the character of a winner,
taught me to overcome difficult moments in life, and I had a lot of
them. He taught me to stay 'on the ground' in every moment in life. That
is why, today I try to enjoy in every moment, in every training, in
every game. I want to make people happy, in the pitch and out of it.
"I worked in construction with my father to earn a living. I knew to
play football when I was a child, and even that time I knew football
will be more important than school for me. Actually, I was aware I can
benefit from it. Though, I have not even dreamt that I can make such a
big career. I was thinking I can play in the first or second league but I
never thought I will be at the highest level. I had a great support
from my father and wife and it helped me get here. Football gave me
everything."
Ribery says he is thankful to his father and to Wahiba Belhami -- his
wife of Algerian origin -- who Ribery says is the reason why he
converted to Islam in 2002 and added Muslim name Bilal.
"Religion is my personal thing. I am a believer and since I converted
to Islam, I think, I became stronger, I became mentally and physically
stronger. Religion did not change my personality or my perception of the
world," emphasizes Ribery.
He says for the past few months he has assumed a different role on the pitch.
"Coach Pep Guardiola tells me that I should always play closer to the
rival's goal post," Ribery says, adding that he took his advice.
He is defiant of allegations over disputes between him and the Bayern Munich coach.
"Pep Guardiola is one of the best coaches in the world. It is easy to
understand him. He talks a lot with players. He brought many new things
to our dressing room. I hope we will win trophies with him. It started
well, we won the [UEFA] Super Cup at the beginning of the season."
Talking on his plans for future he says he intend to stay in Bayern Munich as long as possible.
"I am satisfied with my position and my family is happy living in Munich.
"Bayern is football giant which I greatly respect. We have excellent
relations with media and it contributes great to the image of the team
in the world. I want to stay in this team as long as it is possible.
After my career, I wish to live in Munich with my family."
Asked whether he likes staying in Munich because he is more respected there than in France, he says:
"I don't know why that is so. Earlier I had some problems, but now I
also have good support from France. I would not talk about these things.
I will stay in Munich because my family enjoys here."
Ribery will play with France in November in a playoff game against Ukraine for a place in next summer's World Cup in Brazil.
"Those will be difficult and complicated games. I will play without
pressure." He adds: "If I don't go to Mundial hardly that I can count on
winning the Ballon d’Or," he says.
He sees Germany as the top contender for the World Cup title.
"Germans have everything. Team spirit and great players.
Continuously, they make good results," Ribery says but points to a
difficult challenge ahead with many other powerful rivals such as
France.
"I have more experience now. I won the Champions League, and the World Cup remains for me. That is my dream," he says.
He also comments on the historic berth Bosnia and Herzegovina clinched in the World Cup.
"BiH representation is determined and deserved to be placed in the World Cup."
Ribery spent 6 months with the Turkish side Galatasaray appearing in 14 games with one goal.
"Playing in Galatasaray when I was 21 was a good choice for me. I
stayed there 6 months, and I have good and unforgettable memories of
Istanbul. Great city and phenomenal fans. I felt like a king in Turkey.
Everyone loved me. I played with Hakan Sukur, great star and one of
Galatasaray's legends."
