Arjen Robben was a footballer who reached great heights and played with a straightforward style that was hard to defend against.
His career began and ended in his home country of Holland with FC Groningen, where he started in the club’s academy as a young winger. He made his debut at just 16 and quickly drew attention.
Robben showcased his remarkable speed, making 18 appearances in his first season and troubling many opposing defenders.
In his second season, he scored six goals to help Groningen stay up in the top tier, which led to interest from bigger clubs. Robben then signed with PSV, where he found immediate success.
Teaming up with Serbian international Mateja Kezman, known as ‘Batman and Robben’, the winger scored 12 goals and assisted seven times, helping PSV win the title from Ajax and earning recognition as the best player in the Eredivisie under 21.
Embed from Getty Images
However, his second season was marred by injuries, but his talent caught the attention of top clubs in England. Manchester United showed interest, but Chelsea moved quickly to sign him.
“I had a good conversation with Ferguson over dinner in Manchester about football and life. I visited the training ground, and everything seemed good, but after returning to PSV, nothing happened.
“There was no real contact, and the deal fell through. PSV was also negotiating with Chelsea, so maybe they offered more money. I spoke to Chelsea and liked their plans. One meeting was enough, and everything was finalized quickly.
“Had Manchester United made an offer right after our meeting, I would have signed there, but it didn’t happen, and I have no regrets.”
Arjen Robben (FourFourTwo)
Chelsea had been transformed after Roman Abramovich’s takeover a year earlier, and Robben joined in the summer of 2004, part of a new strategy under manager Jose Mourinho.
A foot injury in the pre-season delayed his debut, but once he returned in October, he quickly became a key player as Mourinho changed the team’s formation.
With Robben and Damien Duff supporting lone striker Didier Drogba, Chelsea won their first league title in 50 years, suffering only one defeat in the Premier League.
Embed from Getty Images
Robben scored seven goals and had nine assists, earning a spot in the PFA Team of the Year. He continued to shine as Chelsea secured consecutive league titles.
His third season was frustrating, with only two league goals, but Chelsea accepted a reasonable £24 million bid from Real Madrid for his transfer, where more success awaited.
His start in Spain was slow, but he became crucial as Real Madrid won the La Liga title in 2007/08, scoring eight goals during his second season.
However, the return of Florentino Perez in 2009 meant Real Madrid pursued big-name players, resulting in Robben’s transfer as they aimed to balance finances.
Bayern Munich took advantage, signing Robben for €25 million after he was encouraged by his countrymen Mark van Bommel and manager Louis van Gaal.
His debut season was the most productive of his career, as he was named Germany’s Footballer of the Year, scoring 23 goals as Bayern won a domestic double.
Even as Borussia Dortmund rose as Germany’s top team, Robben continued to excel alongside Franck Ribery, forming a potent attacking pair.
His playing style was straightforward but effective, using his strong foot to cut inside and score. Despite the simplicity of his technique, defenders struggled to stop him.
More challenges came, such as a missed penalty in the 2012 Champions League final, where Bayern lost to Chelsea at their own stadium.
However, the following season saw Bayern bounce back, winning a domestic double and reaching another Champions League final, where Robben was a key player.
In the historic all-German final against Borussia Dortmund, Robben scored a dramatic late winner, solidifying his place in Bayern’s history as they claimed the Champions League title.
Embed from Getty Images
The next season saw Robben achieve a career-high of 17 league goals as Bayern secured six consecutive Bundesliga titles.
Despite battling various injuries throughout his career, Robben remained an important figure until his departure from Bayern in 2019.
He left the club as one of its legends, with 144 goals in 309 matches, winning numerous league titles and cups, including the Champions League.
His return to Groningen was marred by injury issues, and he eventually retired this week, leaving as a title winner in four countries and one of the Netherlands’ greatest players with 37 goals in 96 international appearances.
At his best, Robben was a dynamic player, known for his signature move that left defenders struggling to keep up.
Read Also – Remembering the Bayern XI that achieved Champions League redemption at Wembley
Add Footem.in As your Preferred Source on Google
Follow the latest on Footem WhatsApp Channel
