Benjamin Pavard has issued a public apology to his former club Bayern Munich over his celebrations after scoring in the 2-2 draw between the Bavarians and Inter, which sent the Nerazzurri through to the Champions League semi-finals on Wednesday night.

Inter booked a spot in the Champions League semi-finals after a 4-3 aggregate victory against Bayern over the last two weeks. Simone Inzaghi’s side secured a 2-1 advantage in the first leg at the Allianz Arena, before recording a 2-2 draw in San Siro on Wednesday, which was enough to send them through.

Pavard scored what proved to be the crucial goal that sent Inter through to the Champions League semis, where they will meet Hansi Flick’s Barcelona at the end of April, nodding home from a Hakan Calhanoglu corner to send Inter 2-1 up on the night and 4-2 ahead on aggregate.

The France international, who spent four years with Bayern between 2019 and 2023, ran off with the rest of his teammates in celebration in what was a scene of overflowing emotion in San Siro.

Pavard apologises for Inter-Bayern celebrations: ‘Never meant to be disrespectful’

Pavard has since issued an apology to Bayern Munich and its supporters after suggestions that his celebration might have come across as disrespectful.

“FC Bayern allowed me to become the player I am today,” Pavard wrote in a post on his Instagram story on Friday.

“This team was my home for many years. I will never forget what an honour it was to be the last player to wear the no.5 shirt and continue the legacy of a legend.”

Pavard is the final Bayern Munich player to wear the no.5 shirt, which was posthumously retired after the death of club legend Franz Beceknbauer last year.

The Frenchman’s statement continued: “My celebration was simply the joy of a kid who was playing in the Champions League quarter-final.

“It was never meant to be a show of disrespect to the FC Bayern fans. Lots of love.”