´Emotional´ Ribery back in Bayern training

Franck Ribery admits it was “very emotional” to make his long-awaited return to Bayern Munich team training on Wednesday.

The 32-year-old took part in team drills, sprint exercises and shooting practice after spending nine months on the sidelines with a persistent ankle problem sustained against Shakhtar Donetsk in March.

“It’s a great day for me, very emotional,” he told FCBTV.

“It was my first really long injury, it was a serious situation for me. But that’s football, that’s life.

“It’s important that you keep your head up and work hard. Now I’m back in the team. It’s a good feeling.

“The whole team was happy for me. It was fun.”

Ribery had initially set a target of December 12 to make his return to first-team action, when Ingolstadt visit the Allianz Arena.

Bayern chief executive officer Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said earlier this week that Ribery’s “ordeal was over” and that the club had full confidence he was on track to return on schedule.