Munich - Bayern Munich coach Juergen Klinsmann indicated Real Madrid had inquired about midfielder Franck Ribery but said he was confident the France star would be staying "for a long time" at the German champions.

"We have an exceptional player and the enquiries there have been - whether Real Madrid or whoever - speak for him," Klinsmann told Bavarian television late Monday.

Klinsmann described Ribery as "the soul" of Bayern's attacking game who realized he had the environment and support in Munich to produce his best form. The club also realized it had to give the player "an environment in which he can really blossom."

Speculation had grown over the future of the 25-year-old international after he had said during the winter break he could not promise to stay until the end of his contract, which runs to June 30, 201l.

"A player has to consider carefully in what environment he develops best," Klinsmann told the Blickpunkt Sport programme.

"The club constellations in Spain are very different to Bayern. In Italy it is similar. We talk about it a lot, we talk openly - about French football and world football in general.

"He realizes he has got it great, really great at Bayern, and that's why I believe he can play here with such freedom and the sort of creativity that can tie a defender in knots.

"Exceptional players at this level need an environment in which they feel good. They are normal people, after all, and must feel liked and accepted in the group. I believe he has this at Bayern and we're very confident of keeping him for a few years."

Inspired by Ribery, Bayern have moved to second in the Bundesliga behind Hoffenheim after an indifferent start when the French player was injured.

"He does things which only few players can do in Europe," Klinsmann said.

"When people discuss whether where we depend too much on him it is for me a pleasant discussion.

"A (Lionel) Messi at Barcelona does wonderful things, a Cristiano Ronaldo at Manchester United does wonderful things, and we have Franck of which we can be proud, and we are sure he will stay with us for a long time." (dpa)