Former Netherlands player Arjen Robben has announced his retirement from football on Thursday. The 37-year-old winger was currently plying his trade for Groningen, a team competing in the top flight of Dutch football.
This is not the first time that Robben has announced his decision to hang up his boots. On 4th July 2019, he announced his retirement from the game, following the conclusion of his long stay at Bayern Munich.
However, after a year away from the game, Robben returned to football by signing for Groningen, his boyhood club. The return was not as special as Robben would have hoped for, as injuries prevented him from creating any remarkable memories with the club he grew up playing for.
In only his first match in the league, he suffered a major injury, which sidelined him for seven months. Following a difficult season, Robben has decided to finally call curtains to what has been an illustrious career.
“Dear football friends, I have decided to stop my active football career. A very difficult choice. I want to thank everyone for all the heart-warming support,”
the eight-time Champions League winner wrote on Twitter.
It has been reported that Robben had the offer of a contract extension, but it was his decision not to opt for it.
“Obviously I had a lot of conversations about this and we always got to the same conclusion in the end,”
Robben said to Groningen’s YouTube channel.
“My football heart still wants to continue. That is also the reason why I am sorry. But at some point you have to be realistic. My football heart still wants to continue. That is also the reason why I am sorry. But at some point you have to be realistic,”
the winner of the 2012-13 UEFA Champions League said.
Robben has won accolades for almost every team that he has played, but his best stint was with the German outfit Bayern Munich. He played 309 matches and scored 144 goals for the Bavarians. As for his international career, Robben has netted 37 goals in 96 appearances.
