BAYERN Munich midfielder Franck Ribery has once again raised question marks over his future by admitting he cannot guarantee he will see out his contract with the German champions.
Last week, Ribery was quoted as saying he could make no promise he would fulfil his Bayern deal, which runs until 2011, prompting speculation of a premature departure.
And in today's Welt am Sonntag newspaper, Ribery again indicated he could be playing elsewhere in three years' time.
"On the one hand, football is fun and about what happens on the field. But on the other hand, it is a business," he said.
"My management team deals with that side of things. I cannot make any promises, that is hard.
"You never know what happens in football. I am not threatening FC Bayern and I have not said I would leave Munich, but what should you say when you are asked what will happen in three years?
"Nobody who is honest can know that and I have not said any more or any less than that."
Ribery was recently voted the best player in Germany for 2008, yet he came only 16th in the running for European Footballer of the Year.
The midfielder later admitted he was unhappy with that ranking, although he knows what he can do to improve on that position next year.
"I had hoped for more after this year with all the titles with Bayern and honours as the best player in France and Germany," he said.
"It is still my dream to be crowned European Footballer of the Year, but you can only do that when you play in the Champions League.
"Last year we were in the UEFA Cup and that simply has a different status.
"If we reach the semi-final or final of the Champions League now then you would have a better chance of making the top five for this award."
Ribery fancies Bayern's chances of making at least the last four of Europe's top club competition and holds no fear of the likes of Real Madrid, Chelsea or defending champions Manchester United.
"I would like to play against all of them. I think we can beat them all," he said.
"Barcelona probably have an edge over us and the rest because they are playing consistently at the very highest level, but the others don't play better football than us.
"We can go a long way."
Bayern face Sporting Lisbon in the last 16 of the Champions League next month.
And in today's Welt am Sonntag newspaper, Ribery again indicated he could be playing elsewhere in three years' time.
"On the one hand, football is fun and about what happens on the field. But on the other hand, it is a business," he said.
"My management team deals with that side of things. I cannot make any promises, that is hard.
"You never know what happens in football. I am not threatening FC Bayern and I have not said I would leave Munich, but what should you say when you are asked what will happen in three years?
"Nobody who is honest can know that and I have not said any more or any less than that."
Ribery was recently voted the best player in Germany for 2008, yet he came only 16th in the running for European Footballer of the Year.
The midfielder later admitted he was unhappy with that ranking, although he knows what he can do to improve on that position next year.
"I had hoped for more after this year with all the titles with Bayern and honours as the best player in France and Germany," he said.
"It is still my dream to be crowned European Footballer of the Year, but you can only do that when you play in the Champions League.
"Last year we were in the UEFA Cup and that simply has a different status.
"If we reach the semi-final or final of the Champions League now then you would have a better chance of making the top five for this award."
Ribery fancies Bayern's chances of making at least the last four of Europe's top club competition and holds no fear of the likes of Real Madrid, Chelsea or defending champions Manchester United.
"I would like to play against all of them. I think we can beat them all," he said.
"Barcelona probably have an edge over us and the rest because they are playing consistently at the very highest level, but the others don't play better football than us.
"We can go a long way."
Bayern face Sporting Lisbon in the last 16 of the Champions League next month.
Copyright (c) Press Association
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