‘I’m almost German’ jokes Bayern’s Ribery

Bayern Munich’s France midfielder Franck Ribery admitted yesterday he feels ‘almost German’ and is glad he has extended his contract with the Bavarian giants until 2015.

“I am almost German now,” joked Ribery, who has bought a house in Munich’s suburbs, in German daily Bild.

The 27-year-old signed an extension in May to keep him with Bayern until 2015, just after the scandal broke which saw Ribery reportedly admitting having sex with an under-age prostitute, but claims he did not know her age.

Ribery has been out with an ankle injury since September 21, but is expected to return to first-team football soon for last season’s Champions League finalists.

“Extending my contract with Bayern was the right decision. They are a great club on the international stage and at the same time they are a real family club,” said Ribery.

The French international said he hopes to play next weekend for the first time in six weeks when Bayern travel to face bottom side Borussia Moenchengladbach in the Bundesliga.

“I still have confidence in my body and I hope it was my last injury of the season,” he said.

Ribery also said he hopes Germany star Bastian Schweinsteiger, whose contract expires in June 2012, will stay at Bayern.

“I really hope that he will extend his contract, he has become a world-class player,” said Ribery with Bayern set to face Romanian side Cluj in the Champions League on Wednesday looking for their fourth straight group win.

“Players like him are very important for us to go even further in Europe.”