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Ribery open to MLS, China when he leaves Bayern

Reuters / Stefan Wermuth Livepic

Franck Ribery is coming to terms with the fact that he'll have to leave Bayern Munich in the future, but at 33, isn't prepared to hang up his boots just yet.

The French winger has vowed to not play for another club in Europe after his Bavarian stint, but is open to shifting overseas like his former teammate Bastian Schweinsteiger, who recently signed terms with Major League Soccer's Chicago Fire.

"I have always said that Bayern is my last club in Europe," Ribery told ESPN FC's Mark Lovell. "But it's always possible you have to make way for others as a 34- or 35-year-old - that's football.

"Then China, Dubai, Qatar, or the U.S. are options. Why not, if I want to play football?"

Ribery added that he's had an "amazing" career - having earned six Bundesliga titles, five DFB-Pokal crowns, and silverware in both the FIFA Club World Cup and UEFA Super Cup - but believes his experience can still be vital in developing youngsters such as Joshua Kimmich and Renato Sanches.

"I think I can be a role model to the younger players. I'm 33, soon to be 34, but they can see how professionally I continue to work," Ribery said.

"It's important they see I still have the hunger despite all my success. That's a vital message."

Ribery, who will become Bayern's longest-serving player when Philipp Lahm retires at the end of the season, will be vying for selection when FC Augsburg visits the Allianz Arena on Saturday.

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