Unfortunately we were unable to see Robben leading FC Groningen to honours in his comeback
Arjen Robben, probably the most famous footballer to have played for FC Groningen (honourable mention to the Erwin and Ronald Koeman, Luis Suarez, Johan Neeskens; and Virgil Van Dijk) says that he still really wants to play football, but that he has run into too many physical barriers, and will now definitively retire.
“Football still wants to, but you have to be realistic at some point. Then you have to make a sensible decision and I have now made it. You also have to be honest with yourself, but this decision still has to sink in”, says Robben. As reported by the GIC.
It is not yet known whether Robben will fulfill another position within the club. The technical staff would like to continue to use his obvious footballing quality and knowledge. Robben first wants to take some distance and spend time with his family. “I can’t say much about the future yet. We will see. The connection with FC Groningen will always be there.”
Robben is the most successful Dutch club football player ever, with twelve national titles in four different countries. He successively played for FC Groningen, PSV, Chelsea; Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich. He won many league titles and cups, as well as scoring the only goal in Bayern’s 2013 Champions League win over Borussia Dortmund.
Robben also picked up 96 Dutch men’s national team caps, and played in the 2010 World Cup Final. His comeback at FC Groningen was unfortunately a touch less spectacular, with 6 appearances in an injury-ravaged one and a half year stay.
Image: Robben training with FC Bayern in 2013. By Wikimedia user Rufus46. License here.
