Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery has revealed that tonight's opponents Lille released him as a trainee because he was "too small for them".

The French international joined Lille back in 1996 but was released three years later following an elbow injury.

"I am very happy to return to Lille and the smell of the North," he told reporters. "There was only one problem. I had broken my elbow and that is why I was released. But before that, they wanted to release me because I was too small.

"I was good on the ball but too small for them. I am someone who never gives up on anything. I am very happy to have succeeded through other paths."

Ribery joined current club Bayern from Marseille in 2007.