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Former France international Franck Ribery has said he is considering applying for German citizenship, telling Bild his son "could even play for Germany" one day. Ribery, who said his negative image in France was a factor when he retired from international duty last summer, joined Bayern Munich in 2007 and has regularly spoken of his happiness in Bavaria, and could now seek dual citizenship. "Why not? I can imagine staying in Munich after my career," he said. "I have a good feeling in Germany. If I do it, I'll do it for my family, for my future. My son Saif was born here. He could even play for Germany one day." The 31-year-old also spoke of his upset after his controversial absence from the 2014 World Cup. Ribery was ruled out of the tournament in Brazil due to back problems, but a doctor with the French national team said the winger could have played if he were not "afraid of needles," sparking a row with Bayern team doctor Hans-Wilhelm Muller-Wohlfahrt and the player's agent. Les Bleus doctor Franck Le Gall had wanted Ribery to be treated with cortisone, but the player refused, with Muller-Wohlfahrt preferring to treat him with Actovegin. "I was hurt, really hurt, by what happened before the 2014 World Cup," he said. "For two years I had done everything for the World Cup -- I was the top scorer [in France's qualification campaign, with five goals], and also set up the most goals. France made it to the World Cup because of me. But that is over." Ribery's negative image in France was also fuelled by his role in the rebellion against coach Raymond Domenech at the 2010 World Cup, which eventually led to him being banned for three games, while he and Karim Benzema had faced charges of soliciting an underage prostitute before eventually being acquitted in January last year.
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