RIBERY: I FEEL STRONGER SINCE I HAVE BECOME MUSLIM

Istanbul, 22 Dhul Hijja 1434/27 October 2013 (MINA) – French football player Frank Ribery said that religion was his privacy and he felt stronger since he preferred Islam.

“My religious belief is my privacy. I am a believer and I feel developed spiritually and strong since I preferred to be a Muslim,” Ribery said, Anadolu Agency quoted by Mi’raj News Agency (MINA) as reporting, Sunday.

Ribery playing in Bayern Munchen in German Bundesliga was named the UEFA Best Player in Europe last season – is among the top contenders along with Barcelona’s Lionel Messi and Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo, to win the Ballon d’Or on January 13, 2014.

Frank Ribery playing in Bayern Munchen in German Bundesliga said that Istanbul and the Turkish football fans were wonderful.

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Ribery says he is thankful to his father and to Wahiba Belhami — his wife of Algerian origin — who Ribery says is the reason why he converted to Islam in 2002 and added Muslim name Bilal.

“Religion is my personal thing. I am a believer and since I converted to Islam, I think, I became stronger, I became mentally and physically stronger. Religion did not change my personality or my perception of the world,” emphasizes Ribery.

Ribery also said that he worked in construction companies with his father to live off.

“I worked in construction with my father to earn a living,” Ribery said.

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“My father worked a lot for us. He gave me the character of a winner, taught me to overcome difficult moments in life, and I had a lot of them. He taught me to stay ‘on the ground’ in every moment in life. That is why, today I try to enjoy in every moment, in every training, in every game. I want to make people happy, in the pitch and out of it.”

The experienced footballer also stated that he wanted to go to Brazil in order to attend the world cup matches. Otherwise it would be difficult for him to win the Golden Ball award.

He says for the past few months he has assumed a different role on the pitch, World Bulletin reports.

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“Coach Pep Guardiola tells me that I should always play closer to the rival’s goal post,” Ribery says, adding that he took his advice.

He is defiant of allegations over disputes between him and the Bayern Munich coach.

“Pep Guardiola is one of the best coaches in the world. It is easy to understand him. He talks a lot with players. He brought many new things to our dressing room. I hope we will win trophies with him. It started well, we won the [UEFA] Super Cup at the beginning of the season.” (T/P09/E1).

Mi’raj News Agency (MINA).