Arjen Robben retires from football

Former Bayern Munich and Netherlands star Arjen Robben has drawn the curtains on his football career for the second time, and this time, possibly for good. 

The main reason behind the decision is the injury struggles that he had to face, and the pandemic halting the flow of the game. He joined boyhood club Groningen after leaving the sport in Germany, and his time on the pitch has reached its conclusion.

The winger took to Twitter to announce his decision, writing: “I have decided to end my active football career, it was a very difficult choice. I want to thank everyone for their heart-warming support!”

Robben is one of the most decorated football players in the 21st century, winning 32 trophies and registering himself as one of the top ten players with the most trophies. He first came to prominence under Jose Mourinho at Chelsea, winning two Premier League titles, two League Cups and an FA Cup during his time at Stamford Bridge. 

He was then sold to Real Madrid in 2007, and though he won the La Liga title in his first season at the Bernabeu, it wasn’t until he joined Bayern Munich that he cemented his status as a legend. Robben won the Champions League with the Bavarians in 2013, a year after coming up short against former club Chelsea in the finals at the Allianz Arena. He is a World Cup finalist, reaching the last game of the tournament against Spain in 2010, but falling short.

Robben won everything there is to win with Bayern Munich, including 8 Bundesliga titles. He has scored 209 goals and provided 166 assists across 614 official club appearances in his professional career. The 37-year-old leaves the sport as one of the most entertaining and engaging offensive players in the 21st century.