15/07/2021
Arjen Robben's history as a professional footballer has officially come to an end. The Dutchman, who completed a season at FC Groningen in his country, where he began his long and successful career, broke the news this Thursday, through an emotional letter posted on social networks.
“I have decided to stop my active football career. A very difficult choice. I want to thank everyone for all the moving support! ”Wrote on Instagram, the 37-year-old character, who was also part of PSV Eindhoven, Chelsea, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.
Robben, in the recent season, appeared in seven Groningen games and failed to score a goal. In the team of his loves, the winger also suffered muscle injuries that forced him to leave the fields for several weeks and be unavailable.
Robben's successes include the Champions League title with the Bavarian cast in 2013, in addition to the eight times he was champion in the Bundesliga. With Real Madrid, he won LaLiga in 2008; and with the ‘Blues’, the two Premier League titles (2005 and 2006) remain in the memory.
At the national team level, Robben was part of the runner-up in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and third place in Brazil 2014. In Germany 2006, the athlete was in the "Clockwork Orange" that reached the round of 16.
Here is the full letter from Robben:
Dear soccer friends, I have decided to stop my active soccer career. A year ago, I announced my return as a FC Groningen player. I embarked on this adventure with a lot of energy and enthusiasm. I just had to deal with the physical setbacks fairly quickly, which kept me from playing matches for a long time. After a long road of trial and error, I finally managed to play the last games of the season.
Looking back on last season, I came to the conclusion that the number of game minutes was disappointing. I knew beforehand that this could happen, but I accepted the challenge and gave everything to make it work. And not just me, everyone at the club and in my immediate environment has helped and supported me at all times.
The warm reactions and statements of support from all football fans did not leave me indifferent. I am very grateful to everyone for this. After the last game, I said that I would take the time to make an informed decision about the future. Shortly after the last match, I started training again. For me, it was important to maintain the physical form that I had acquired in the previous months and not to go too far back.
In this way, I was able to simultaneously experience if it felt good from a physical point of view and if it was realistic to continue for another year. That is why I have decided to stop. A very difficult decision, because the mind and the emotion said otherwise. The heart of football wanted him to continue, especially with that final goal of a full season.
In the above, I enjoyed the game and hoped to give something back to its fans. But sometimes they say, "Everything comes to an end." I think the decision to retire is fair and realistic. That is why I am no longer a player of today, but a supporter of our FC Groningen.
I would like to thank all the football fans and supporters for all the warm support and sweet messages that I have received over the past year. It was wonderful and comforting. I wish you all a great football moment in full stadiums, but above all good health!
Greetings, Arjen.