text: Franck Ribery claims he turned down Real Madrid five years ago because he was told he was as important to Bayern Munich as Lionel Messi was to Barcelona. The French winger, 32, has won four Bundesliga titles as well as a Champions League during his time with the German giants, but it could have all been different had a proposed move to the Bernabeu in 2009 gone through. Real wanted Ribery after he fell out with then-Bayern head coach Louis van Gaal, though he says he was convinced to stay after being sold on his importance by the club's elite. Franck Ribery was convinced to reject Real Madrid after being sold on his importance to Bayern Munich . He was told that he could be as vital to Bayern as Lionel Messi is to Barcelona . Ribery fell out with then-head coach Louis van Gaal and says Real were willing to pay for him . 'I had intensive talks with Uli Hoeness, who was still president back then, and chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge,' Ribery told Goal. 'They told me I should not go, how the club needed me, how I was as important for Bayern as Lionel Messi was for Barcelona. 'Real tried, they wanted me. I don't know what price Bayern wanted them to pay. In the end I am happy how it ended.' As well as enjoying the collective success with Bayern, Ribery also picked up UEFA awards after his performances during the Champions League-winning campaign in 2012/13. The Frenchman, who has retired from international football, was third behind Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi in the 2013 Ballon d'Or awards. Ribery celeberates with the Champions League (left) and the Bundesliga trophy (right) in the 2012/13 season . The Frenchman came third behind Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi in the 2013 FIFA Ballon d'Or awards .
target: Real Madrid wanted to sign French winger Franck Ribery in 2009 .
  Ribery had fallen out with then-Bayern Munich coach Louis van Gaal .
  He was convinced to stay as club told him he could be as important to them as Lionel Messi was to Barcelona .