Jonathan Schmid in the jersey of Friborg, a city where he feels good.

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Action Press / Shutterstock / SIPA

  • Alsatian Jonathan Schmid joined Franck Ribéry last Saturday at the top of the ranking of the French who played the most Bundesliga matches (273).

  • The Freiburg player should even become the only record holder this weekend, against Mainz.

  • Ten years of career in the Bundesliga, that inevitably leaves some memories ... "I had the chance to face RIbéry and Alaba at the same time on this left side of Bayern.

    It was difficult to defend!

    Douglas Costa too, he's huge.

    And Lewandowski, it's awful to cross him but we have no pressure when we play against him, ”says Jonathan Schmid.

Beside him, Bixente Lizarazu almost passes for a passing player… Jonathan Schmid joined Franck Ribéry last Saturday at the top of the ranking of the French having played the most Bundesliga matches (273).

Far ahead of Matthieu Delpierre (185), Willy Sagnol (184) and therefore Liza (183).

A real satisfaction for the native of Strasbourg, who failed in Racing at the age of 16, where he was considered "lazy".

Before crossing the Rhine for the sixth division in Offenburg and then being spotted by Friborg.

The full-back is currently playing there his tenth season in the top flight after stints in Hoffenheim and Augsburg, where he has always been part of the executives.

In Germany, Jonathan Schmid is a well-known figure in the championship.

By way of comparison, Marco Verratti has roughly the same number of games as him, in Ligue 1.

If you are told that you have become Franck Ribéry's equal in the Bundesliga, what does that inspire you?

At the career level, not really!

We just have the same number of games played in the league and I'm really proud of that.

I still have a few years ahead of me, I hope to go even higher.

Did you ever expect to arrive at this total?

No, especially considering my career ... I feel good in the Bundesliga.

I've been there for ten years and I know this championship almost perfectly.

Does it sound like a revenge compared to France and RC Strasbourg who did not keep you?

Not at all, I follow Ligue 1 every weekend even if I haven't had the chance to play there.

I don't hold a grudge against Racing either.

I was told that I was lazy when I was young because I didn't run too much, but all that is forgotten.

Long watched from afar, the Bundesliga is now popular.

How do you explain it?

When I arrived, there were very few French people, a lot less stars… I saw him evolve into ten aces.

More and more good players are coming here.

We have big teams, great players ...

In these 273 matches, if you had to retain just one ...

The first, against Nuremberg on January 22, 2011. For me, it was a dream come true to play with the pros after training with them since I was 19 years old.

But I didn't want to stop!

And your best memory then?

When we won the qualification for the Europa League with Friborg (in 2013).

We were 1 or 2 points from the Champions League [4 actually and had scored 11 goals that season].

Which player has marked you the most during these ten seasons?

There were so many great… I had the chance to face RIbéry and Alaba at the same time on this left side of Bayern.

It was difficult to defend!

Douglas Costa too, he's huge.

And Lewandowski, it's awful to cross him but you have no pressure when you play against him.

The image dates back to 2012. Jonathan Schmid was only in his second Bundesliga season.

Frankc Ribéry was already a double German champion.

- Michael Probst / AP / SIPA

Precisely, Franck Ribéry sent you his congratulations last weekend.

“273 Bundesliga games, it's crazy.

Only the best can do this, ”he told you.

It’s nice, isn't it?

It is very flattering to receive a message like that, I am very proud.

We didn't have any more relationships than that, except when we were playing against each other.

I asked him each time for his swimsuit and I must have about ten at home!

You have to keep them, Bayern has always had great outfits.

I show them to the children, they see who I played against.

What is your suite?

I have two years of contract left and as long as I can, I will play.

We'll see after.

Either I will extend or I will leave.

Why not in France, it could be good to play there.

Could you adapt to Ligue 1?

I do not know.

The French who arrive often find it more difficult here.

It requires more physical impact, it runs everywhere and it is less closed.

But I think all players can do any championship.

Before that, there will therefore be this 274th Bundesliga match, normally this weekend in Mainz.

Are you going to celebrate?

Before the Leipzig game last weekend, I went to the sports director to get a bonus… but nothing.

No I'm kidding, I didn't do that!

I had a lot of congratulations last week, maybe it will be even better on Saturday!

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