Marcel Desailly believes that Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery should not be included in the French national squad for the Euro 2016.
The 33-year-old announced his retirement from the international game in 2014 following the World Cup. He had just missed the World Cup due to a back injury. This was the start of his injury problems and Ribery has played a little football for club and country in the last two years. He has made a combined 26 appearances in the league over the last two years.
Despite the monumental injury troubles, Ribery hinted that he may consider making a U-turn on his decision to retire from international football. This has increased rumours that manager Didier Deschamps may consider calling the former Marseille man for the Euro 2016. Former national team defender Marcel Desailly believes that it will be the wrong decision since it will only hamper the development of young players. Desailly says that the French team was rebuilt after he had announced his exit. Now, it makes no sense to go back to him – at the age of 33 – ahead of a major tournament. Ribery won 81 caps for the national team before his retirement.
The French national team will also be without Karim Benzema after the striker has been banned by the French Football Federation.”He’s a super player but he gave up on the French team himself.No one forced him to. And now the team has been rebuilt without him. And he’s 33 years old,” said the former Chelsea defender about the possibility of Ribery returning to the national team. After having been injured out for a long time, Desailly says that Ribery is sure to experience a significant drop in form after a sudden improvement. This drop, unfortunately, could come at the Euro 2016 if selected.