HAMELIN, Germany, June 14 - France's Franck Ribery said he could not believe his eyes when he made his World Cup debut alongside the players he worshipped as a teenager.

"I felt so much happiness being on that pitch surrounded by so many great players," said Ribery, who started a game for France for the first time in a 0-0 Group G draw with Switzerland in Stuttgart on Tuesday.

"Zinedine Zidane, Thierry Henry and Lilian Thuram were there and I was there with them. Those are memories I'll never forget," the 23-year-old midfielder told reporters on Wednesday.

"I grew up admiring those players. When they won the World Cup in 1998 I was 15 and after the game I was partying out in the streets with my friends. Being in the same team as such players is a dream come true. I hope I'll play with them again."

Ribery, who had sparkled in his previous appearances for France, as a substitute in three warm-up games, did not quite live up to huge expectations against Switzerland but was not complaining.

"I had never played more than 25 minutes for France before and playing 90 minutes is very different," he said.

"It was difficult because it was very hot but I did the best I could. I'll probably feel more at ease next time."

Ribery will now probably revert to his role as a substitute.

"I'd accept that," he said. "If I'm a substitute I'll try my best to make a difference when I come on."

The season's revelation in Ligue 1, the gifted Ribery, who is being hailed as the next Zidane, is expected to leave Olympique Marseille for French champions Olympique Lyon.

According to Lyon chairman Jean-Michel Aulas, Ribery has already made up his mind and it is just a matter of time before the deal is finalised.

"I don't want to talk about that," Ribery said on Wednesday. "I am here to play the World Cup. Nothing else matters to me at the moment."