Bayern Munich great Arjen Robben announces retirement
Arjen Robben has announced his retirement after leaving Bayern Munich this summer.
Bayern Munich decided to release numerous veteran players this summer. The Bundesliga champions want to build a squad of young players that can help them to achieve their short and long term targets.
Arjen Robben was one of these players that ended a long trophy-laden stint at the club by winning a domestic double. The Dutch winger also fittingly scored in his final Bundesliga game. Along with ending the chapter at Bayern Munich, Robben has decided to retire from the game.
The former Dutch international released a statement today to bring curtains down on an illustrious career. In this statement (via Goal), Robben admitted that this is one of the hardest decision he has made in his career. The 35-year-old hinted that the constant injury issues are the main reason behind his decision.
"“It is, without doubt, the hardest decision I have had to make in my career. A decision where heart and mind collided.”“The love for the game and the conviction that you can still handle the whole world, as opposed to the reality that not everything runs the way you want and you are no longer the 16-year-old boy who had no idea what an injury meant.”"
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Bayern signed Robben from Real Madrid in 2009. The former Chelsea winger hit the ground running for Die Roten and formed a deadly partnership with Franck Ribery. In his prime, he was one of the best wingers in Europe. His performances were key in Bayern’s decade long domination in the Bundesliga.
The Dutchman ends his career with eight Bundesliga title and one Champions League. Robben has scored numerous goals for Bayern but his most memorable is the one against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League final. He also won Eredivisie, Premier League, and La Liga during his brief stints at PSV Eindhoven, Chelsea, and Real Madrid respectively.
Robben was linked with numerous clubs since announcing his Bayern departure in December last year. The Dutchman was wanted by PSV Eindhoven and FC Groningen in the Eredivisie while Inter Milan also reportedly showed interest in him. There were reports linking him with moves away from Europe as Toronto FC was the rumored destination.
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The Dutchman has endured a difficult time on the injury front in the past few seasons. His last campaign in Bayern colors was nothing different as he was out of action for more than six months. He was not even sure about playing a final competitive game for Die Roten due to numerous relapses in his recovery. Robben has enjoyed a brilliant career and it is fitting that he ends it on a strong note instead of facing constant injury problems.