Franck Ribéry: I Am Aware Of How Painful Losing A Final Can Be.

Franck Ribéry sent a statement on social media saying, “It needed a magnificent performance to go to a World Cup final and to fight to the end for triumph. Many of the previous Les Bleus players have yet to react on the defeat to Argentina, perhaps because they share the same sentiment the fans do. I am aware of how painful a loss in the final is. Be pleased with yourself. Courage!”

The 2006 final, which Italy and the ex-Bayern Munich player again decided on penalties, was lost.

Les Bleus players from the 2006 World Cup squad, who also lost to Italy on penalties, are the people who really understand that suffering. Aside from his country’s World Cup second-place performance, the French winger never again advanced to a significant championship game. But throughout the years, the ex-Bayern Munich player earned 81 appearances for Les Bleus, made several clutch plays and scored 16 goals.

Another person who is familiar with the “changing of the guard” from one World Cup to another is Ribéry. Undoubtedly, France will return to the World Cup, but the squad that does so will probably be quite different from the one that faced Argentina in the first half. By then, athletes like Ribéry or one of his 2006 World Cup squad colleagues may have coaching roles.