Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben will go down as one of football's greatest ever double-acts

Saturday 29 August 2009 is an iconic day in football history and not just Bayern Munich. It's the day that the deadly double-act of Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery was born.

Manager Louis van Gaal sent on his fellow countryman and new signing Robben with Bayern 1-0 up against Wolfsburg and then the introduction of Ribery, already at the club, soon took place.

Within five minutes and 'Robbery' were doing the absolute business for Bayern - Robben getting a goal on his Bundesliga debut after being set up by his partner in crime in the 3-0 win.

That really set the tone for the pair. In just under 10 years as a duo, they caused absolute havoc on the flanks for the Bavarian outfit - scoring 266 goals and laying on a ridiculous 284 assists between them.

They also claimed eight Bundesliga titles, four DFB Pokals and one UEFA Champions League in their time as colleagues.

You had Robben coming off the right, cutting inside and curling in worldies with that sweet left foot. Opponents knew what he was doing yet and they still couldn't stop him.

Then on the opposite wing, France international Ribery was doing his thing, rinsing defenders with his trickery.

Their productive partnership finally came to an end when it was announced in 2019 that both legends would be leaving Bayern.

Both were on the scoresheet in an emotional final game against Frankfurt as Bayern won yet another title.

Robben initially retired from football altogether but announced a u-turn and returned to boyhood club Groningen for one season before hanging up his boots for good.

Ribery, meanwhile, proceeded to continue playing in Italy with Fiorentina and Salernitana.

But reports now say he is set to "imminently" retire from the game at the age of 39 after suffering from cartilage issues and growing pains in his knees.

With both seemingly no longer playing, it only feels right for Bayern to put on a joint-testimonial for two of their greats.

Featured Image Credit: Image: Alamy & Franck Ribery

Topics: Franck Ribery, Bayern Munich, Arjen Robben

Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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