Franck Ribery claims he turned down Real Madrid five years ago because he was told he was as important to Bayern Munich as Lionel Messi was to Barcelona . The French winger , 32 , has won four Bundesliga titles as well as a Champions League during his time with the German giants , but it could have all been different had a proposed move to the Bernabeu in 2009 gone through . Real wanted Ribery after he fell out with then-Bayern head coach Louis van Gaal , though he says he was convinced to stay after being sold on his importance by the club 's elite . Franck Ribery was convinced to reject Real Madrid after being sold on his importance to Bayern Munich . He was told that he could be as vital to Bayern as Lionel Messi is to Barcelona . Ribery fell out with then-head coach Louis van Gaal and says Real were willing to pay for him . ' I had intensive talks with Uli Hoeness , who was still president back then , and chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge , ' Ribery told Goal . 'They told me I should not go , how the club needed me , how I was as important for Bayern as Lionel Messi was for Barcelona . 'Real tried , they wanted me . I do n't know what price Bayern wanted them to pay . In the end I am happy how it ended . ' As well as enjoying the collective success with Bayern , Ribery also picked up UEFA awards after his performances during the Champions League-winning campaign in 2012/13 . The Frenchman , who has retired from international football , was third behind Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi in the 2013 Ballon d'Or awards . Ribery celeberates with the Champions League ( left ) and the Bundesliga trophy ( right ) in the 2012/13 season . The Frenchman came third behind Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi in the 2013 FIFA Ballon d'Or awards .
Real Madrid wanted to sign French winger Franck Ribery in 2009 . Ribery had fallen out with then-Bayern Munich coach Louis van Gaal . The deal fell through and the player was sold for a reported £75million ($100million) to Manchester United, who then signed him up as their new number one.