Former Fiorentina forward Franck Ribery said he was proud to have worn the club’s shirt after taking part in a friendly match featuring some of the Italian side’s former stars.
Ribery, who represented Fiorentina from 2019 to 2021, was involved in the special game before reflecting on his time with the club and the welcome he continues to receive from its supporters.
“I am proud that I wore this shirt,” Ribery said, underlining the importance of his spell in Florence.
The Frenchman also spoke about his lasting connection with Fiorentina fans. His comments highlighted the relationship he developed with the club’s supporters during his two seasons with the side.
Ribery made it clear that he still enjoys playing football, adding another personal note to an evening centred on memories of Fiorentina’s former players.
The match also reunited Ribery with Luca Toni, restoring a much-remembered attacking partnership on the pitch. The two were once again involved in the same team during the friendly featuring stars from Fiorentina’s past.
Ribery joined Fiorentina in 2019 and remained with the club until 2021. During that period, he played 50 Serie A matches, scoring five goals and providing nine assists.
Although those figures represent only part of his wider contribution to the team, they provide a statistical record of his time in Florence. His return for the reunion offered an opportunity to revisit that period alongside other former Fiorentina players.
The French forward’s appearance also reinforced the enduring affection between him and the club. Ribery’s comments about the Fiorentina shirt and the supporters showed that his association with the side remains significant after his departure.
For Fiorentina, the friendly provided a chance to bring together players who had helped shape different periods in the club’s history. For Ribery, it was an occasion to play again, reconnect with the fans and share the field with Toni once more.
The club is commonly known as the Viola, and Ribery’s two-year spell remains part of its recent history. His return, together with Toni, gave the event a notable link with the past while allowing both players to enjoy another appearance in Fiorentina colours.
Ribery’s message was straightforward: despite having left the club in 2021, he continues to value his time in Florence and feels genuine pride in having represented Fiorentina.