Arunava about Football A look at football & the world through my eyes!
Related Articles
Dutch and Bayern Munich legend Arjen Robben announced his retirement in a personal message earlier today, July 4. “I’m definitely stopping, but it’s good that way,” said the 35-year-old, who said it was “without doubt the most difficult decision I have had to make in my career.”
Robben made his professional debut in the year 2000 for FC Groningen in the Dutch Eredivisie, went on to play for PSV Eindhoven, Chelsea FC and Real Madrid before spending the largest chunk of his career at Bayern Munich. From 2009 to this summer, Robben shaped an era, the crowning moment of which was the treble success in 2013, where Robben scored the winner in the UEFA Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund at Wembley.
The winger made a total of 309 competitive appearances for FCB and racked up 144 goals and 81 assists.
At international level, Robben played 96 times scoring 37 goals for the Netherlands. The biggest success was reaching the final of thw 2010 FIFA World Cup, which the Dutch lost 0-1 in extra time to Spain.
“For 19 years I’ve lived for my passion and tried to get the maximum out of it,” continued the Dutchman. “That requires a certain attitude and consumes a lot of energy, particularly when it’s not going your way. I’m looking forward to spending more time with my wife and children, and to all the nice things that lie ahead,” Robben added.
Robben had intended to play for one or two more years after ending his 10 year stint with Bayern Munich but multiple injuries over the last few seasons made that a non-starter, so Robben decided to call it quits.
