France head coach Didier Deschamps has admitted that his side will never be able to replace Franck Ribery.
After missing last summer's World Cup with a back injury, Ribery decided to retire from international football and the Bayern Munich winger is currently out of action with an ankle problem.
As the 32-year-old battles to regain form and fitness at club level, Deschamps claims that France are weaker without him as they prepare to host Euro 2016 next summer.
"There are not 10 other Franck Riberys out there," he told L'Equipe.
"This is someone who is a potential Ballon d'Or, a world-class player who was already a finalist in the World Cup in 2006. We cannot replace that kind of player overnight."
Ribery won 81 caps for France.
Written by
Callum Mulvihill
Callum Mulvihill
