Frank Ribery has called on theBayern Munich hierarchy to keep hold of Dutch superstar Arjen Robben at the end of the season.
Former France international Ribery is well aware that Robben's contract expires at the end of the season and has urged the club to extend his fellow winger's tenure by an additional year.
He said: "Arjen is a very important player for Bayern," Ribery told Sky. "We need players like him, players with a lot of experience and a big name. That is part of Bayern."
He then cheekilyoffered to help his team-mate secure an extension: "If he wants, I can help him out and teach him what to say and how to get a new deal."
It comes after Ribery himself wasgiven another season at the Allianz Area, which means he will turn 35 once he runs it down. His new deal, which now expires in June 2018, prompted the former Marseille winger to admit he could wellcall time on his illustrious careerat the German giants.
He said: "Could I retire at Bayern? Yes, why not?"
Robben, who will be 33 next month, joined the club in 2009 after spells in Holland, England and Spain at some of Europe's biggest clubs. He first madea namefor himself atChelsea, before transferring to Real Madrid in 2007. However, the arrivals of president Florentino Perez, and superstars Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo in 2009 spelled an end of regular first-team football for the player.
Robben left for Germany, with many arguing the move was the making of the player. He has won five Bundesliga titles, one Champions League, several "Goal of the Month" awards, the "Footballer of the Year in Germany" in 2010, and a highly respectable fourth place finish in the 2014 Ballon d'Or, to name but a few highlights.
At 32, Robben will behoping to secure a new deal at the club where he has largely flourished over the years, and may hope his friend Ribery'scomments about helping him to get one from chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge weren't actually a joke.