Ribery regrets 'horrible 2010'

Ribery: 'Horrible 2010'

Frank Ribery has confessed that he 'went down the wrong roads' in a professional and personal context in his wretched 2010.

The Bayern Munich star is back in the France squad for the first time since he was involved in a players' revolt at last summer's World Cup.

France's fiasco in South Africa summed up 2010 for Ribery, as he was plagued by injury, became embroiled in a sex scandal and missed the UEFA Champions League final defeat to Inter Milan through suspension.

Ribery was banned for three matches after the France squad refused to train under coach Raymond Domenech at the World Cup, but he could make his return this Friday when Laurent Blanc's side travel to Luxembourg for a Euro 2012 qualifier.

Reading from a statement at France's press conference on Monday, Ribery said: "It's clear I had a horrible 2010 from all points of view. I won't even speak of the injuries that troubled me.

Hurt

"But in my private life, my behaviour as a footballer, I went down the wrong roads, I lost myself. I hurt people, people who are very dear to me. I disappointed and even shocked many people and I want to apologise."

Ribery also claimed he came in for some unwarranted criticism.

The statement, posted on the French Football Federation's official website added: "I was criticised, sometimes justifiably, sometimes wrongly, things were said and written about me, things that hurt me very badly, because they were excessive or downright false."

Meanwhile, Lille midfielder Yohan Cabaye has withdrawn from the France squad for the Luxembourg game and the friendly against Croatia at the Stade de France four days later with a muscle problem picked up in the weekend win over Brest.

St Etienne 23-year-old Blaise Matuidi has been called into the squad as a replacement.