World Cup 2014: Franck Ribery refused to take injections that would have allowed him to play for France in Brazil

Bayern star is out of the tournament with a back injury

Franck Ribery alongside France's head coach Didier Deschamps for the pre-World Cup picture (GETTY IMAGES)

Franck Ribery has admitted that he refused to take a cortisone injection that would have allowed him to play at the World Cup this summer.

The winger, 31, was recommended the treatment by the French medical team after he was ruled out of the tournament with a back injury.

The French team doctor Kevin Le Gall told journalists that Ribery was afraid of needles and not offered that treatment the injection which acts as short-term pain relief.

But Ribery, who was seen as one of Didier Deschamps' most important platers, rejected those claims.

"I’m not afraid of injections," he told German news agency SID. "But I didn’t want to have a cortisone injection from the French doctor.

"I know it’s not good."

Le Gall had earlier criticised Bayern Munich's medical team, saying: "Franck belongs to a club whose method of treatment for all ailments, whatever they might be, is based on injections."

Ribery, who starred for Bayern's double winning team last season, has 80 caps for France.

Les Bleus play their first game of the tournament against Honduras tonight.