Arjen Robben
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Arjen Robben (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈɑrjə(n) ˈrɔbə(n)] ⓘ; born 23 January 1984) is a Dutch former professional footballer who played as a winger. Known for his dribbling skills, speed, and long-range shots, he is regarded as one of the best players of his generation and one of the greatest wingers of all time.[4] He ranks second for the all-time Dutch top goalscorers (32) in the UEFA Champions League[5] and is the all-time Dutch top assist provider (19) in the competition.[6]

Key Information

Robben first came to prominence with Groningen, for whom he was player of the year for the 2000–01 Eredivisie season. Two years later he signed for PSV, where he became the Netherlands' Young Player of the Year and won an Eredivisie title.[7] The following season Robben's signature was pursued by leading clubs, and after protracted transfer negotiations, he joined Chelsea in 2004. Robben's Chelsea debut was delayed through injury, but upon returning to fitness, he helped Chelsea bring home two consecutive Premier League titles, and was the Premier League Player of the Month in November 2004.[8][9] After a third season in England which was punctuated by injury, Robben signed for Real Madrid in a transfer worth €35 million.

In August 2009, Robben transferred to Bayern Munich for a fee of around €25 million.[10] In his first season in Munich, Bayern won the league title, Robben's fifth league title in eight years. Robben scored the winning goal in the 2013 Champions League final, being named to the Squad of the Season. In 2014, he was named to the FIFPro World XI and the UEFA Team of the Year, and fourth place in the Ballon d'Or.[11] In Germany, he won 20 trophies, including eight Bundesliga titles and five DFB Pokals. During his long tenure at Bayern, Robben was also known for his fruitful partnership with fellow winger Franck Ribéry – together they were affectionately referred to by the nickname Robbery.[12][13]

Robben started in the 2010 FIFA World Cup Final, which the Netherlands lost to Spain. He also appeared at the 2004, 2008 and 2012 UEFA European Championships, and the 2006 and 2014 FIFA World Cups. In the latter, he won the Bronze Ball and was named to the All-Star Team.

Early life

[edit]

Robben was born in Bedum, in the northeastern Netherlands. He took to football from an early age, becoming an adherent of the Coerver Method.[14] Robben's skill in ball control and technical footwork made him a valuable player, and he was quickly signed by regional club FC Groningen. Here, he developed his distinctive style of cutting inside from the right onto his left foot to score some quite spectacular goals.[15]

Club career

[edit]

Groningen

[edit]

Groningen placed Robben in their first team for the 1999–2000 season. He scored three goals in league play. Manager Jan van Dijk added the winger to the first team before Groningen's November 2000 away game against Twente, but he did not play until 3 December 2000 against RKC Waalwijk as a substitute for the injured Leonardo dos Santos in the 79th minute. During the winter, Robben managed to play himself into the starting lineup. In 18 starts for Groningen over the 2000–01 season, he scored two goals.[16] Robben was named player of the year for his first season with the club, and with teammate Jordi Hoogstrate, he demonstrated the strength of the Groningen youth academy. Robben stayed with Groningen and improved steadily during the 2001–02 season, playing in 28 matches and scoring six goals.[17] Robben transferred to PSV for €3.9 million before the 2002–03 season.[7]

PSV

[edit]

During his first season for PSV, the 2002–03 season, Robben played 33 matches and scored 12 goals.[16] He was named "PSV co-player of the year" along with striker Mateja Kežman, with whom he formed an attacking partnership still fondly referred to by PSV fans as "Batman and Robben".[18] He helped lead PSV to their 17th Dutch title, and won the Talented Player of the Year award.[19] After this good start, PSV could not keep up with rival Ajax and were forced into a fight for second place in the Eredivisie. Robben travelled to London and met with Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson. Manchester United's offer came in much too low for PSV's and Robben's liking; PSV chairman Harry van Raaij told United that the most their €7 million offer would buy them was a shirt with Robben's autograph. Almost immediately, Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich offered €18 million (£12.1 million), and PSV accepted.[20] The rest of his season with PSV was disappointing: he injured his hamstring twice and missed several games.[21][22] By the end of the season, Robben scored five times in 23 Eredivisie matches.[16]

Chelsea

[edit]

2004–05 and 2005–06 seasons

[edit]
Robben celebrates winning the 2004–05 Premier League

Robben did not make his competitive debut for Chelsea until 23 October 2004 against Blackburn Rovers,[23] as he was injured in a pre-season friendly match against Roma, breaking a metatarsal bone in his right foot in a challenge from Olivier Dacourt.[8] During this time, he told club doctors that he had noticed an unfamiliar growth on one of his testicles. The medical team quickly did tests to check for testicular cancer, but he was subsequently given the all clear.[24]

Robben proved to be a crucial player for the 2004–05 season; in November 2004, he was awarded the Premier League Player of the Month award.[8][9] Robben ended the 2004–05 season with seven goals, his second highest professional total. He was shortlisted for the PFA Young Player of the Year, but was beaten by Manchester United's Wayne Rooney.[25][26] Robben was badly injured in a Premier League match away to Blackburn Rovers and forced to sit out the 2005 Football League Cup Final, Chelsea's title run-in and progress to the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League.[27] Back to fitness for 2005–06, Robben was an integral part of the Chelsea left wing. In 28 matches, Robben contributed six goals as Chelsea won a second consecutive Premier League championship, the first back-to-back titles for the west London club.[16]

2006–07 season

[edit]

Robben was later named man of the match on 23 December 2006 against Wigan Athletic, a match where he got two assists and the winning goal.[28]

Robben was inflicted with yet another injury in a match against Liverpool on 20 January 2007.[29] Robben made his return in a 3–0 victory against Middlesbrough in February, driving in a shot that took a deflection past Mark Schwarzer for an own goal by Abel Xavier.[30] He came on as a substitute for Claude Makélélé in the 2007 League Cup final against Arsenal and set up the winning goal for Didier Drogba.[31] Robben scored a goal in the second round of the Champions League against Porto, which led to Chelsea winning the tie 3–2 on aggregate. At the end of March 2007, Robben underwent a knee operation after sustaining a knee injury upon returning from international duty that was expected to rule him out for at least four weeks.[32] He only made two further appearances for Chelsea, both of which were as a substitute[33] and both of which would prove to be key games for the club. His first appearance since returning from injury was against Liverpool in the Champions League semi-final second leg which went to penalties. Robben went on to have his penalty saved by Pepe Reina, and Chelsea ultimately lost.[34]

Robben's final appearance for the club came against Manchester United in the 2007 FA Cup Final. Robben replaced Joe Cole at half-time, but was then substituted himself for Ashley Cole in extra time as Chelsea emerged victorious.[35] Spanish club Real Madrid were interested in two of Chelsea's players. Then manager Bernd Schuster is said to have demanded Michael Ballack, while Real Madrid's then president Ramón Calderón was known to favour Robben.[36] Robben said to reporters of Spanish newspaper AS, "I do not know when a deal will be reached. I would like to send a message to the Madrid fans, but I can't until my future is sorted."[37][38]

Real Madrid eventually secured Robben's services in August 2007.[39] He told Chelsea's official club website:[40]

It was difficult to leave because I had a great time in my three years at Chelsea and I made a lot of friends. There was no time to say goodbye because the deal was closed on the Wednesday at 10 o'clock in the evening and the following morning I had to fly. If I have one day off I would want to come back and say goodbye because to the fans I owe a big thank you because they were always good to me. In my three years I won all the prizes there are to win in England.

Real Madrid

[edit]
Robben playing for Real Madrid in 2009

Robben completed his move to Real Madrid on a five-year deal on 22 August 2007,[41] with the transfer fee reported as £24 million[42][43] (€35 million). He made his debut on 18 September as a substitute for Raúl during a Champions League match against Werder Bremen, which Real Madrid won 2–1.[44] His La Liga debut came on 23 September, as a substitute for Royston Drenthe in a 1–1 away draw against Real Valladolid.[45] On 10 February 2008, Robben scored his first goal, coming at home in a 7–0 victory against Valladolid.[46] Robben proved crucial for many Real Madrid matches, making his famous runs down the left wing and quickly became a first choice for the left midfield position, making 28 appearances during his debut season and scoring five goals. Real Madrid won the Liga title with multiple games to spare, and were already the champions of Spain when they played their arch-rivals Barcelona on 7 May 2008. The Barcelona players formed a guard of honour as the Madrid team came onto the pitch at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, and Robben played an important part in Real Madrid's subsequent 4–1 victory, scoring the champions' second goal.[47]

Robben retained his key role in the Real Madrid midfield during the 2008–09 season, playing 35 times and scoring 8 goals. Although the Dutchman was one of the Spanish side's most important players in the pre-season games leading up to the 2009–10 season, having scored three goals and help set up another four, he was among the players whose place in the first team became threatened following the arrival of Florentino Pérez and the signings of Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaká. Real Madrid accepted a bid of around €25 million for Robben from Bayern Munich.[48][49] Robben claimed he was "forced" to leave Real Madrid, saying that he "didn't want to go, but the club wanted to sell him".[50]

Bayern Munich

[edit]

2009–10 season

[edit]
Robben with Bayern Munich in 2010

On 28 August 2009, Robben moved to Bayern Munich for around €25 million. He was given the number 10 jersey, last worn by his fellow Dutchman, Roy Makaay.[51][52] On 9 March 2010, Robben scored the deciding goal in Bayern's 2–3 defeat (4–4 on aggregate over two legs) against Fiorentina, taking them through to the quarter-finals of the 2009–10 Champions League on away goals.[53]

On 7 April 2010, Robben sent Bayern into the semi-finals of the Champions League with a stunning volley against Manchester United from the edge of the area into the corner of the net. The game ended 3–2 to United (4–4 on aggregate), with Bayern advancing again due to away goals.[54]

On 17 April 2010, he scored his first hat-trick in the Bundesliga against Hannover 96 in the Allianz Arena. The game ended 7–0 to the Bavarians.[55] On 8 May 2010, he won his first Bundesliga title with Bayern after scoring two goals in their 3–1 victory over Hertha BSC, finishing as Bayern's top scorer in the process.[56]

A week later, Bayern played in the DFB-Pokal final against the previous champions of the tournament, Werder Bremen, in Berlin's Olympiastadion. Bayern won the game 4–0, with Robben scoring the first of his team's goals from a penalty kick. Robben thus helped the Bavarians achieve their 15th DFB-Pokal title. On 25 May 2010, Robben was named Footballer of the Year in Germany for 2010.[57] He was the fourth foreigner and the first Dutchman to win the title. He finished the 2009–10 season with 23 goals in 37 appearances.[58]

2010–11 season

[edit]
Robben preparing to take a free kick during the 2012 UEFA Champions League Final

The 2010–11 season started poorly for Robben, after medical tests confirmed that his hamstring had not properly healed and would be out for two months.[59] Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge stated that "Of course, Bayern Munich are very angry" with the Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB), and would be seeking compensation from them, continuing, "Once again we must pay the bill as a club after a player is seriously injured playing for a national team."[59] On 15 January 2011, he returned to first-team action, coming on as a substitute in the 1–1 away draw with VfL Wolfsburg.

Robben was nominated for the UEFA Champions League Best Midfielder award, but the award went to his international compatriot Wesley Sneijder. He has also been nominated for the prestigious Ballon d'Or award and the FIFA Puskás Award, which goes to the best goal of the year, and he has also been nominated for FIFA's FIFPro World XI 2010 squad thanks to his season with Bayern Munich. He finished the 2010–11 season with 13 goals in 17 appearances.[60]

2011–12 season

[edit]

In the second leg of the semi-finals of the 2011–12 Champions League, against his former club Real Madrid, which was then managed by José Mourinho (who had been his manager at Chelsea), after Bayern fell behind 2–0, Robben converted a penalty to level the tie at 3–3. Bayern advanced to the final after winning the resulting penalty shootout.[61]

On 3 May 2012, it was reported that Robben had signed a new contract with Bayern which would last until 2015.[62]

Robben had an extra-time penalty saved by former teammate Petr Čech in the 2012 Champions League final at the Allianz Arena against Chelsea. Had he scored, Bayern Munich would have led Chelsea 2–1. The match, however, ended in a penalty shootout which Chelsea won.[63] That was the fourth major cup final that he had been on the losing side during the last two years (FIFA World Cup final, two Champions League finals and the DFB-Pokal). Three days later in the same stadium, and while playing as a second-half substitute for the Netherlands in a friendly against Bayern Munich, he was jeered by some disgruntled Bayern fans every time he touched the ball (due to his penalty miss in the Champions League final, and as he did not play on Bayern's side during that match due to a decision taken by Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk).[64] The match had been organised to compensate Bayern, since Robben aggravated an injury playing for the Netherlands at the 2010 World Cup, and went on to miss several months of the 2010–11 season.[65] He finished the 2011–12 season with 19 goals in 36 appearances.[66]

2012–13 season

[edit]

In the 2012–13 season, Robben played in the German Super Cup.[17] He had started the season on the bench, as manager Jupp Heynckes preferred to start Thomas Müller on the right wing, with Toni Kroos at the attacking midfielder position. Robben had played through the season as a substitute but earned his chance to start again after Kroos was injured during the Champions League tie against Juventus. He started on the right wing for the rest of the season, having moved Müller back to the middle. Robben started against Borussia Dortmund in the quarter-finals of the DFB-Pokal and scored the game's lone goal in the 43rd minute. In the Champions League semi-final against Barcelona, Robben started both games and scored in both, including the go-ahead goal in the second leg. Bayern would then go on to return to the final in Wembley Stadium. Robben atoned for his penalty missed the previous season by setting up teammate Mario Mandžukić's goal to open the scoring in the 60th minute then netting an 89th-minute winner in a 2–1 victory over Borussia Dortmund to give Bayern their fifth Champions League/European Cup title.[67] During the presentation, he was named Man of the Match by UEFA.[68] Hence, he has been called "Mr Wembley" since then.[69] He finished the 2012–13 season with 13 goals in 31 appearances.[17][70]

2013–14 season

[edit]

Robben scored his first goals of the 2013–14 season in the 2013 DFL-Supercup, a 4–2 defeat to Borussia Dortmund.[71] On 9 August 2013, his opening goal helped Bayern to a 3–1 win over Borussia Mönchengladbach in their first match of the 2013–14 Bundesliga campaign.[72] On 17 September, he scored in Bayern's Champions League opener against CSKA Moscow at the Allianz Arena.[73] He went on to score two further goals during the Champions League group stage; in away wins against Manchester City[74] and CSKA[75] as Bayern finished as group winners. On 23 November, Robben was one of three scorers as Bayern beat title rivals Borussia Dortmund 3–0 at the Westfalenstadion.[76] On 4 December, Robben was substituted with a deep cut on his right knee in a 2–0 DFB-Pokal win away to FC Augsburg which prevented him from taking part in the 2013 FIFA Club World Cup.[77]

On 1 March 2014, Robben scored a hat-trick in Bayern's 5–1 win over Schalke 04.[78] On 19 March, he signed a contract extension with Bayern which will keep him at the club until 2017.[79] On 9 April, Robben scored Bayern's third goal in a 3–1 Champions League quarter-final against Manchester United, to secure qualification to the semi-finals.[80] On 17 May, Robben scored Bayern's opening goal in a 2–0 extra-time defeat of Borussia Dortmund in the 2014 DFB-Pokal Final, giving him his third league and cup double in five seasons with the club. His goal also made him the first player to score in three separate DFB-Pokal finals.[81] On 13 July, after winning the third-place match at the 2014 World Cup, Louis van Gaal invited Robben to follow him to Manchester United, but the latter ruled out the move.[82] He finished the 2013–14 season with 21 goals in 45 appearances.[17][83]

2014–15 season

[edit]

In Bayern's opening match of the 2014–15 Bundesliga season, Robben scored one goal and assisted the other as the team defeated VfL Wolfsburg 2–1 on 22 August 2014. On 1 November, he scored the winning goal from a penalty kick against Borussia Dortmund in Der Klassiker. On 16 December 2014, Robben scored his 100th competitive goal for Bayern Munich in a home match against SC Freiburg.[84]

On 21 February 2015, Robben scored twice in a 6–0 win against SC Paderborn, giving him the record of scoring against every Bundesliga team he had faced.[85] He ended 2014–15 alongside teammate Robert Lewandowski as joint second-top goalscorer in the Bundesliga with 17 goals. This was despite the player missing the last two months of the season through injury.[86] He finished the 2014–15 season with 19 goals in 30 appearances.[17][87]

2015–16 season

[edit]

Robben started his 2015–16 season by scoring the opening goal of the DFL-Supercup against VfL Wolfsburg.[88] The match finished in a 1–1 draw, and Robben scored in the subsequent shootout, however Bayern were defeated.[88]

Robben's first goal of the Bundesliga season came from a penalty kick in a 3–0 defeat of Bayer Leverkusen on 29 August.[89] However, an injury suffered six days later when playing for the Netherlands against Iceland in qualification for UEFA Euro 2016 kept him out of Bayern's next nine fixtures.[90] On 24 October, Robben returned to the Bayern team, playing 65 minutes and scoring the opening goal of a 4–0 win against 1. FC Köln, the club's 1,000th Bundesliga victory.[91] He made his first Champions League appearance of the season on 4 November, scoring after coming on as a substitute in Bayern's 5–1 win over Arsenal.[92] He finished the 2015–16 season with seven goals in 22 appearances.[88][93]

2016–17 season

[edit]

Robben, recovering from his injury, was chosen for a friendly against SV Lippstadt 08. He scored a goal, shortly before being substituted because of another injury in the 36th minute. Robben's six-week injury caused him to miss several matches. He returned to training and remained on the bench until 21 September Bundesliga match against Hertha BSC, where he came on instead of Thomas Müller and scored in the 3–0 victory.[94] Robben scored in both first and second leg of the round-of-sixteen tie against Arsenal as Bayern won 10–2 on aggregate.[95][96] He finished the 2016–17 season with 16 goals in 37 appearances.[97]

2017–18 season

[edit]
Robben training in 2018

On 16 January 2017, Robben signed a one-year extension with Bayern, keeping him at the club until the end of the 2017–18 season.[98] He scored a goal with his right foot for the first time since February 2015 in a 4–0 victory over 1. FSV Mainz 05 on 16 September.[99] On 18 October, Robben made his 100th Champions League appearance in a 3–0 victory over Celtic F.C. in the group stage match of the competition.[100] On 4 November, Robben scored a stunning goal in a 3–1 away win over their Borussia Dortmund in Der Klassiker which made him Bayern's most successful non-German scorer in the Bundesliga and the most successful Dutch goal scorer in the Bundesliga.[101][102] He scored twice in a 6–0 away victory over SC Paderborn as Bayern went on through to the semi-final of DFB-Pokal on 6 February 2018.[103] On 25 April, he had an injury within the first ten minutes of the Champions League semi-final first leg against Real Madrid, which forced him to miss the rest of the season.[104]

Robben won his seventh Bundesliga title and set a Dutch record by winning his 11th career domestic league title surpassing Dutch legend Johan Cruyff's 10 career domestic league titles.[105][106] He finished the 2017–18 season with seven goals in 34 appearances.[107]

On 11 May 2018, Robben signed a one-year contract; extending his stay until the end of the 2018–19 season.[108]

2018–19 season

[edit]

On 12 August, he started the season by playing in the 2018 DFL-Supercup for 58 minutes and won the title as Bayern defeated Eintracht Frankfurt with a 5–0 victory.[109] On 27 November, Robben scored two goals in a 5–1 win against S.L. Benfica in the Champions League.[110] On 2 December, Robben said in an interview: "I can say that this is my last year [at Bayern] and it is good like that. I think it is the right moment after ten years. The club moves on and I may move on. It is the end of a very good and long period."[111]

On 18 May 2019, he scored his last league goal for Bayern in Bundesliga making it a 5–1 victory against Frankfurt, which meant Bayern winning their 28th Bundesliga title and Robben winning his eighth.[112] On 25 May 2019, Robben won his fifth DFB-Pokal as Bayern defeated RB Leipzig 3–0 in the 2019 DFB-Pokal Final.[113] He finished the 2018–19 season with six goals in 19 appearances.[107] In 201 Bundesliga matches he scored 99 goals.[114]

On 4 July 2019, Robben announced his decision to retire from football.[115][116]

Return to Groningen

[edit]

On 27 June 2020, Robben announced his return to the game, signing with FC Groningen, the club he started his career with,[117] in an effort to help the team recover from COVID-19 setbacks.[118] He scored his first goal for Groningen in a pre-season friendly against Arminia Bielefeld.[119] On 13 September 2020, he made his league debut for Groningen against PSV, but he was substituted after only 28 minutes due to injury.[120] After a nearly seven-month absence, he made his return as a substitute in a loss to SC Heerenveen on 11 April 2021.[121] Robben returned in Groningen's starting line-up on 9 May; he provided two assists in a 4–0 win at Emmen.[122]

On 15 July 2021, Robben announced his second and final retirement from professional football.[123]

International career

[edit]

In April 2003, he made his Netherlands international debut in a friendly match against Portugal at age 19.[124]

Euro 2004

[edit]

Robben's first participation at an international tournament came at UEFA Euro 2004 when manager Dick Advocaat called up younger players, such as Wesley Sneijder and John Heitinga. During the group stage of the tournament, Advocaat substituted Robben in the 66th minute to defend a 2–1 lead over the Czech Republic. The Czechs, however, then scored two goals and won 3–2, which led to criticism about Advocaat's decision.[125] In the quarter-finals, Robben scored the deciding kick in the penalty shootout between the Netherlands and Sweden, which ensured that at the fifth attempt, the Dutch finally won a shootout.[126]

2006 World Cup

[edit]

Robben played in his first 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifier in 2006. In six games for the Netherlands, Robben scored two goals.[127] The Netherlands qualified for the 2006 World Cup and in their opening match against Serbia and Montenegro, Robben scored the winning goal in the 18th minute, and was named the Player of the match. In the match against the Ivory Coast, Robben received this award the second time, thus becoming one of the eight players in the tournament to have won multiple Man of the Match awards.[128]

Euro 2008

[edit]
Robben in 2009 prior to a match against Japan

During Euro 2008, new Dutch manager Marco van Basten changed the side's formation to 4–2–3–1, preferring the midfield trio of Rafael van der Vaart, Wesley Sneijder and Dirk Kuyt, with Robben left to battle for a position with Robin van Persie on the wing. In the group match against France, which the Netherlands won 4–1, Robben was brought on at half-time. He dragged the ball out of reach of a defender near the half-way line and paced his way ahead of three defenders, then crossed straight to Van Persie, who powered a shot into the goal past France goalkeeper Grégory Coupet. At 2–0, Thierry Henry scored a goal for France, making it 2–1, but almost directly after the restart, Robben was played through by Sneijder and he ran at the France goal and was forced into an acute angle, but despite the angle, he shot the ball into the net past Coupet.

2010 World Cup

[edit]

Robben was selected by new manager Bert van Marwijk for the final 23-man Dutch squad for the 2010 World Cup.[129][130] In the team's last friendly match against Hungary, just before its flight to South Africa on 4 June, Robben fell awkwardly and picked up a hamstring injury, causing concern over his fitness for the tournament.[131] On 5 June, Van Marwijk announced that he had "decided not to summon any substitute for Arjen. I want to give him every chance to still participate in the World Cup".[132] On 12 June, Robben arrived in South Africa to join the team.[133] He was an unused substitute for the opening match against Denmark as they coasted to a 2–0 victory, and again in the 1–0 victory against Japan. He came on in the 73rd minute against Cameroon in their 2–1 victory, hitting the post from which Klaas-Jan Huntelaar scored from the rebound.[134]

On 28 June 2010, Robben started his first match against Slovakia in which he went on to score the first goal in the second round as the Netherlands won 2–1. He also won the man of the match award.[135] Robben scored the third goal with a well-placed header in the semi-finals against Uruguay which the Netherlands won 3–2 to reach the final.[136] Robben played for the full match in the final as the Netherlands lost 1–0 to Spain.[137] Robben had Netherlands's best opportunity of the match when played in on goal by Wesley Sneijder in the 62nd minute of the match, but was denied by Iker Casillas.[138] Robben was nominated for the 2010 World Cup Golden Ball, the tournament's best player, which was won by Diego Forlán.

Euro 2012

[edit]

Robben was selected to play for the Netherlands at Euro 2012.[139][140] He started in the first group stage match, a 1–0 loss to Denmark, in which he hit the post with a curled effort. In the next match, a 2–1 loss to Germany, he hopped over the advertising boards and walked the long way round after being subbed off for Dirk Kuyt because he thought he could have inspired the Netherlands to a win.[141] After a 2–1 loss to Portugal, the Netherlands were knocked out with three straight defeats.

2014 World Cup

[edit]

In the Netherlands' first match of the 2014 World Cup, Robben scored two goals in a 5–1 win over Spain.[142] In the Netherlands' second group stage match, a 3–2 win over Australia, Robben scored the team's opening goal as they qualified for the knockout stage.[143] In the round of 16 knock-out match with Mexico, the Netherlands won on a penalty awarded after Robben went down following a challenge from Rafael Márquez. The Associated Press said that Robben's "theatrical" fall "did little to defuse the debate about his reputation for diving".[144] Robben maintained that the penalty was correct but admitted to falling easily earlier in the match, telling a Dutch TV channel that "the one [at the end] was a penalty, but the other one was a dive in the first half. I shouldn't be doing that".[145]

In the quarter-final, Robben scored the Netherlands' second kick in a 4–3 penalty shootout defeat of Costa Rica.[146] On 11 July, Robben was named on the ten-man shortlist for FIFA's Golden Ball award for the tournament's best player.[147]

On 28 August 2015, Robben was named captain of the Netherlands, replacing Robin van Persie.[148]

2018 World Cup

[edit]

On 10 October 2017, Robben retired from international football after the team's unsuccessful 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign.[149] He collected 96 caps between 2003 and 2017 for the Oranje and scored 37 goals.[150]

Style of play

[edit]

Throughout most of his career, Robben was regarded as one of the best wingers in the world, with ESPN stating he is "able to take on and beat defenders at the drop of a hat, Robben's ability to get to the byline and deliver in accurate crosses instils fear into any defence".[151][152] Usually deployed on the right wing, Robben employed his signature move by cutting inside on his stronger left foot to move to a more central attacking position, and used his speed and dribbling skills to take on defenders until he found the space to make an attempt on goal.[153] Robben had a noticeable preference for using his dominant foot throughout his career: he scored 134 league goals with his left foot, while only ten league goals came with his weaker right foot.[154][155][156]

Robben is a world class player. He can, as we know from experience, decide a game on his own. To stop him, you have to double him.

– Borussia Dortmund's Kevin Großkreutz on having two players mark Robben.[157]

During the course of a match Robben would often drift to the left wing, with his teammate, in the case of Bayern Munich, Franck Ribéry, switching over to the right. Another factor in his playing style is his relationship with the right-sided full-back. At Bayern, this partnership with Philipp Lahm had benefits for the team's efficiency and chemistry. Robben's defensive work improved when he went to Bayern where he often tracked back and covered for his partner when he pushed forward and became a temporary right back.[153]

I always prefer to be honest and I said there was one foul in the first half where I went to the ground when the opponent took his leg away at the last moment ... It had nothing to do with the game and the penalty was a clear penalty. I apologise for the action in the first-half but that's football ...

– Robben admits to diving against Mexico in 2014, but argues that it only happened during the less-crucial first half.[158]

Robben was often accused of diving, and at times he openly admitted to the charges.[159][160][161][162] In December 2011, Robben apologised for a dive against VfL Bochum in a DFB-Pokal match which earned him a yellow card, saying, "I must not do things like this."[163] In July 2014, Robben admitted to diving in the first half of Netherlands' match against Mexico in the last 16 round of the 2014 World Cup, but maintained that he had not dived for the decisive penalty he won in stoppage time which Netherlands converted to win 2–1.[159] Following the incident, Robben's former manager at Chelsea, José Mourinho, said that Robben's speed and creativity cause opponents who cannot stop him to foul him, but "sometimes [Robben] tries to get an advantage, or to get a penalty".[164]

Earlier in his career, Robben also drew criticism from pundits and other players for his perceived selfishness, his lack of composure in important games, and for his struggles with injuries throughout his career, which were initially thought to have limited his potential; however, he worked to develop his physique and the mental aspect of his game, and became a more consistent and world class team player as his career progressed, who was known for providing a good number of assists as well as scoring goals himself.[165][166][167][168]

Personal life

[edit]
Robben with his wife Bernadien in 2014

Robben married his girlfriend Bernadien Eillert on 9 June 2007 in Groningen.[169] The two met while in high school in the city, at the Kamerlingh Onnes,[170] and have two sons, Luka (born 2008) and Kai (born 2012) and a daughter, Lynn (born 2010).[171][172] Robben's father, Hans, works as his agent.[173]

Sponsorship

[edit]

Robben has a sponsorship deal with German sportswear and equipment supplier Adidas.[174] Robben featured in EA Sports' FIFA video game series before his retirement, and was the third-highest-rated player in FIFA 15.[175]

Career statistics

[edit]

Club

[edit]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Cup1 Continental2 Other3 Total Ref.
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Groningen 2000–01 Eredivisie 18 2 0 0 — — 18 2 [17]
2001–02 Eredivisie 28 6 6 4 — — 34 10 [17]
Total 46 8 6 4 — — 52 12 —
PSV 2002–03 Eredivisie 33 12 3 0 4 1 1 0 41 13 [17]
2003–04 Eredivisie 23 5 2 0 8 2 1 1 34 8 [17]
Total 56 17 5 0 12 3 2 1 75 21 —
Chelsea 2004–05 Premier League 18 7 2 0 5 1 4 1 29 9 [17]
2005–06 Premier League 28 6 4 1 6 0 2 0 40 7 [17]
2006–07 Premier League 21 2 4 0 8 1 4 0 37 3 [17]
Total 67 15 10 1 19 2 10 1 106 19 —
Real Madrid 2007–08 La Liga 21 4 2 1 5 0 0 0 28 5 [17]
2008–09 La Liga 29 7 0 0 6 1 2 0 37 8 [17]
Total 50 11 2 1 11 1 2 0 65 13 —
Bayern Munich 2009–10 Bundesliga 24 16 3 3 10 4 — 37 23 [58]
2010–11 Bundesliga 14 12 2 1 2 0 0 0 18 13 [60]
2011–12 Bundesliga 24 12 3 2 9 5 — 36 19 [66]
2012–13 Bundesliga 16 5 5 4 9 4 1 0 31 13 [17][70]
2013–14 Bundesliga 28 11 5 4 10 4 2 2 45 21 [17][83]
2014–15 Bundesliga 21 17 2 0 7 2 0 0 30 19 [17][87]
2015–16 Bundesliga 15 4 3 0 3 2 1 1 22 7 [88][93]
2016–17 Bundesliga 26 13 3 0 8 3 0 0 37 16 [97]
2017–18 Bundesliga 21 5 4 2 9 0 0 0 34 7 [107]
2018–19 Bundesliga 12 4 2 0 4 2 1 0 19 6 [176]
Total 201 99 32 16 71 26 5 3 309 144 —
Groningen 2020–21 Eredivisie 6 0 0 0 — 1 0 7 0 —
Career total 426 150 55 22 113 32 20 5 614 209 —

International

[edit]
Robben with Dutch teammate Dirk Kuyt
Appearances and goals by national team and year[177]
National team Year Apps Goals
Netherlands[178] 2003 3 1
2004 8 2
2005 6 3
2006 10 2
2007 4 0
2008 6 2
2009 8 1
2010 7 4
2011 1 0
2012 10 2
2013 10 5
2014 13 6
2015 2 2
2016 1 1
2017 7 6
Total 96 37

Robben scored his first ever international goal in October 2003 during a UEFA Euro 2004 qualifier against Moldova.[179] He ultimately decided to retire from international duty in 2017 following their unsuccessful qualifying campaign for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.[180]

Scores and results list Netherlands' goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Robben goal.
List of international goals scored by Arjen Robben
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition Ref.
1 11 October 2003 Philips Stadion, Eindhoven, Netherlands  Moldova 5–0 5–0 UEFA Euro 2004 qualification [181]
2 18 February 2004 Amsterdam Arena, Amsterdam, Netherlands  United States 1–0 1–0 Friendly [182]
3 17 November 2004 Mini Estadi, Barcelona, Spain  Andorra 2–0 3–0 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification [183]
4 4 June 2005 De Kuip, Rotterdam, Netherlands  Romania 1–0 2–0 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification [184]
5 17 August 2005 De Kuip, Rotterdam, Netherlands  Germany 1–0 2–2 Friendly [185]
6 2–0
7 11 June 2006 Zentralstadion, Leipzig, Germany  Serbia and Montenegro 1–0 1–0 2006 FIFA World Cup [186]
8 16 August 2006 Lansdowne Road, Dublin, Republic of Ireland  Republic of Ireland 2–0 4–0 Friendly [187]
9 1 June 2008 De Kuip, Rotterdam, Netherlands  Wales 1–0 2–0 Friendly [188]
10 13 June 2008 Stade de Suisse, Bern, Switzerland  France 3–1 4–1 UEFA Euro 2008 [189]
11 10 June 2009 De Kuip, Rotterdam, Netherlands  Norway 2–0 2–0 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification [190]
12 5 June 2010 Amsterdam Arena, Amsterdam, Netherlands  Hungary 3–1 6–1 Friendly [191]
13 6–1
14 28 June 2010 Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban, South Africa  Slovakia 1–0 2–1 2010 FIFA World Cup [192]
15 6 July 2010 Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town, South Africa  Uruguay 3–1 3–2 2010 FIFA World Cup [193]
16 29 February 2012 Wembley Stadium, London, England  England 1–0 3–2 Friendly [194]
17 3–2
18 7 June 2013 Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta, Indonesia  Indonesia 3–0 3–0 Friendly [195]
19 6 September 2013 A. Le Coq Arena, Tallinn, Estonia  Estonia 1–0 2–2 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification [196]
20 11 October 2013 Amsterdam Arena, Amsterdam, Netherlands  Hungary 8–1 8–1 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification [197]
21 15 October 2013 Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium, Istanbul, Turkey  Turkey 1–0 2–0 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification [198]
22 16 November 2013 Cristal Arena, Genk, Belgium  Japan 2–0 2–2 Friendly [199]
23 4 June 2014 Amsterdam Arena, Amsterdam, Netherlands  Wales 1–0 2–0 Friendly [200]
24 13 June 2014 Itaipava Arena Fonte Nova, Salvador, Brazil  Spain 2–1 5–1 2014 FIFA World Cup [201]
25 5–1
26 18 June 2014 Estádio Beira-Rio, Porto Alegre, Brazil  Australia 1–0 3–2 2014 FIFA World Cup [202]
27 16 November 2014 Amsterdam Arena, Amsterdam, Netherlands  Latvia 2–0 6–0 UEFA Euro 2016 qualification [203]
28 5–0
29 16 November 2015 Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff, Wales  Wales 2–1 3–2 Friendly [204]
30 3–2
31 13 November 2016 Stade Josy Barthel, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg  Luxembourg 1–0 3–1 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification [205]
32 4 June 2017 De Kuip, Rotterdam, Netherlands  Ivory Coast 2–0 5–0 Friendly [206]
33 9 June 2017 De Kuip, Rotterdam, Netherlands  Luxembourg 1–0 5–0 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification [207]
34 3 September 2017 Amsterdam Arena, Amsterdam, Netherlands  Bulgaria 2–0 3–1 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification [208]
35 7 October 2017 Borisov Arena, Barysaw, Belarus  Belarus 2–1 3–1 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification [209]
36 10 October 2017 Amsterdam Arena, Amsterdam, Netherlands  Sweden 1–0 2–0 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification [210]
37 2–0

Honours

[edit]

PSV

Chelsea

Real Madrid

Bayern Munich

Netherlands

Individual

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Arjen Robben

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Arjen Robben is a Dutch former professional footballer who played primarily as a right winger, celebrated for his explosive pace, exceptional dribbling, and signature left-footed shots delivered after cutting inside from the flank.[1] Born on 23 January 1984 in Bedum, in the northern Netherlands, Robben rose through the youth ranks at local club VV Bedum and FC Groningen, making his senior debut for the latter in 2000 at age 16.[2] His early promise led to a transfer to PSV Eindhoven in 2002, where he helped secure two consecutive Eredivisie titles in 2003 and 2004, scoring 17 goals in 56 league appearances.[3] Robben then moved to Chelsea in 2004 for a reported £12 million, contributing to two Premier League triumphs in 2005 and 2006, as well as the 2007 FA Cup, despite injury setbacks that limited him to 67 league games and 15 goals.[4] In 2007, he joined Real Madrid, winning La Liga in his debut 2007–08 season and adding another in 2008–09, with 11 goals in 50 league outings.[3] Robben's most prolific and decorated period came at Bayern Munich from 2009 to 2019, where he amassed 99 Bundesliga goals in 201 appearances, scored the winning goal in the 2013 UEFA Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund, and collected eight Bundesliga titles, five DFB-Pokals, and the 2013 Champions League trophy.[4] After leaving Bayern, he briefly returned to FC Groningen in 2020 for a one-season comeback, appearing in 7 matches before retiring for the second time on 15 July 2021 at age 37, citing persistent injuries.[5] Across his club career, Robben recorded over 200 goals in more than 600 appearances.[4] On the international stage, Robben debuted for the Netherlands in 2003 and went on to earn 96 caps, scoring 37 goals and providing 29 assists.[4] He featured prominently in three FIFA World Cups—reaching the 2010 final (lost 1–0 to Spain), third place in 2014, and the round of 16 in 2018—and three UEFA European Championships, including the 2012 final.[3] His individual accolades include the VDV Player of the Season award in 2010, recognizing his pivotal role in Bayern's domestic double.[3] Since retirement, Robben has served as a youth coach at FC Groningen, mentoring the U14 team since 2025, while also competing professionally in padel, a racket sport, debuting on the FIP Tour in 2025.[6][7][8]

Early life and youth career

Early life

Arjen Robben was born on 23 January 1984 in Bedum, a small town of around 10,000 residents in the northeastern Netherlands, near Groningen.[9][1] He grew up in a sports-oriented family; his father, Hans Robben, was a physics and athletics teacher who had played football for Groningen's second-string team, while his mother, Marjo Robben, was an athletics teacher.[9] Robben also has a younger sister, Vivian, who pursued gymnastics.[9] The family emphasized education alongside athletic development, fostering a disciplined environment that shaped Robben's early years.[9] From a young age, Robben displayed exceptional talent in football, joining the local Bedum Football Club where, at age eight, he reportedly scored 21 goals in a single match on multiple occasions.[9] He also excelled in other sports, becoming a county-level tennis player by age 11 and a chess champion at 10, defeating 300 competitors.[9] Despite these diverse interests, Robben chose to focus on football, moving to FC Groningen's youth academy at age 12, where he was introduced to the Coerver Method—a coaching technique emphasizing technical skills and dribbling pioneered by Dutch coach Wiel Coerver.[1] This method accelerated his development, helping him progress rapidly through the ranks.[1] Robben balanced his burgeoning football career with academics, maintaining strong performance as a model pupil and cycling 35 kilometers daily to school and training sessions at age 16.[9] His father insisted he complete his exams before fully committing to professional football, which he did at 17, even as he debuted for Groningen's senior team.[9] This grounding in Bedum's close-knit community and family support remained influential throughout his life, as Robben later returned to the area with his own family after his professional career.[10]

Youth career

Robben began his organized football journey at the age of five with the youth section of VV Bedum, a local amateur club in his hometown near Groningen, Netherlands, where he first showcased his natural talent for the sport.[11][2] He remained with VV Bedum until 1996, developing foundational skills in a grassroots environment typical of Dutch regional football.[2] In 1996, at the age of 12, Robben was scouted and joined the youth academy of FC Groningen, the professional club based in the provincial capital just a short distance from Bedum.[12][11] There, he progressed through the age-group teams, benefiting from the structured training of a top-tier Dutch academy that emphasized technical proficiency and tactical awareness.[12] By late 2000, his rapid growth as a skillful winger with exceptional pace and dribbling ability earned him promotion to the senior squad, marking the end of his youth phase.[12]

Club career

Groningen (2000–2002)

Arjen Robben began his professional career with FC Groningen, the club where he had developed through the youth ranks. He made his Eredivisie debut on 3 December 2000, at the age of 16 years and 10 months, coming on as a substitute in a 2–2 home draw against Twente. During the 2000–01 season, Robben gradually earned a place in the first team, making 18 league appearances (13 starts) and contributing 2 goals and 3 assists as Groningen finished 14th in the Eredivisie. His breakthrough performances that year earned him the club's young player of the season award.[1] In the 2001–02 campaign, Robben became a key fixture in the squad, starting 27 of his 28 league outings and recording 6 goals and 3 assists, helping Groningen to a 15th-place finish and avoiding relegation. Over two seasons, he amassed 46 Eredivisie appearances, 8 goals, and 6 assists, showcasing his pace, dribbling, and left-footed precision on the right wing.[13] His rapid rise drew attention from top Dutch clubs, culminating in a transfer to PSV Eindhoven for a reported €3.9 million in summer 2002.

PSV Eindhoven (2002–2004)

Robben transferred to PSV Eindhoven from FC Groningen in July 2002 for a fee of €3.9 million, becoming the club's record signing at the time and beginning his professional career in the Eredivisie. In his debut season (2002–03), he quickly established himself as a key winger, appearing in 33 league matches where he scored 12 goals and provided 8 assists, contributing significantly to PSV's Eredivisie title win—their 17th in club history.[13] He also featured in 4 UEFA Champions League group stage games, netting 1 goal, as PSV advanced from their group before exiting in the second group stage.[14] His performances earned him the Eredivisie Talent of the Year award, recognizing his emergence as one of the league's most promising young players.[1] Additionally, Robben helped PSV secure the 2003 Johan Cruyff Shield, the Dutch Supercup, by scoring the opening goal in a 3–1 victory over FC Utrecht on August 10, 2003.[15] During the 2003–04 season, injuries limited his availability, but he still made 23 league appearances with 5 goals and 9 assists, aiding PSV to a runners-up finish in the Eredivisie.[13] In the UEFA Champions League, he played 5 matches and scored 2 goals as PSV progressed to the quarter-finals, where they were eliminated by Arsenal.[16] PSV also won the 2004 Johan Cruyff Shield, though Robben's involvement was minimal due to his impending transfer.[3] His rapid development at PSV attracted interest from top European clubs, leading to a £12 million move to Chelsea in August 2004 after just two seasons in Eindhoven.[17]

Chelsea (2004–2007)

Robben joined Chelsea from PSV Eindhoven in the summer of 2004 for a transfer fee of £12 million, signing a four-year contract under manager José Mourinho.[18] His debut was delayed by a metatarsal injury sustained in pre-season, but he made his first appearance on 18 September 2004 as a substitute in a 1-0 Premier League win against Manchester City, providing an assist for Eiður Guðjohnsen's goal. Robben scored his first goal for the club on 30 October 2004 in a 2-1 home victory over Liverpool, cutting inside from the left flank to curl a shot past goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek.[18] In his debut 2004–05 season, despite ongoing injury issues, Robben featured in 18 Premier League matches, scoring 7 goals and providing 9 assists.[13] He earned the Premier League Player of the Month award for November 2004 after scoring in three consecutive matches against Liverpool, Fulham, and Newcastle United.[18] His performances helped Chelsea secure the 2004–05 Premier League title—the club's first in 50 years—and the League Cup, though Robben did not play in the final due to injury. Overall, he made 26 appearances across all competitions that season, contributing 9 goals and 10 assists.[19] The 2005–06 campaign saw Robben establish himself more prominently, appearing in 28 Premier League games with 6 goals and 3 assists, though he received two red cards—one for two bookings against Arsenal in November 2005 and another for violent conduct against Charlton Athletic in December.[13] Injuries again limited his consistency, but he played a role in Chelsea's successful defense of the Premier League title and their FA Cup triumph, starting in the final 2-1 win over Manchester United.[18] Across all competitions, Robben recorded 41 appearances, 8 goals, and 7 assists that year.[19] In 2006–07, persistent fitness problems restricted Robben to 21 Premier League outings, where he scored 2 goals and added 4 assists.[13] He came off the bench in the League Cup final, assisting the winning goal in a 2-1 victory against Arsenal in February 2007, and also substituted in the FA Cup final penalty shootout win over Manchester United in May.[18] Despite these contributions to another double of domestic cups, increased competition from wingers like Shaun Wright-Phillips and Salomon Kalou, combined with recurring injuries, led to his £24.4 million transfer to Real Madrid in August 2007.[18] Over three seasons at Chelsea, Robben made 106 appearances in all competitions, scoring 19 goals and providing 23 assists, while winning two Premier League titles, one FA Cup, and two League Cups.[19]

Real Madrid (2007–2009)

Arjen Robben joined Real Madrid from Chelsea on 22 August 2007, signing a five-year contract for a transfer fee of €36 million (£24.5 million).[20][21] His arrival was anticipated to bolster the team's attacking options under coach Bernd Schuster, but Robben's debut season was immediately disrupted by fitness issues, including an ankle injury sustained shortly after joining that sidelined him for several weeks.[22] In the 2007–08 campaign, Robben made 28 appearances across all competitions, scoring 5 goals and providing 5 assists, with his contributions primarily in La Liga where he featured in 21 matches (4 goals, 4 assists).[23] Despite limited starts due to a further ankle ligament injury in March 2008 that kept him out for four weeks, he played a supporting role in Real Madrid's La Liga title win, their first in four years.[24] In the UEFA Champions League, he appeared in 5 group-stage matches without scoring, as the team exited in the round of 16.[23] His only Copa del Rey goal came in a 4–1 win over Real Unión in October 2007.[23] Robben's form improved in the 2008–09 season, where he became a more regular starter, logging 35 appearances, 8 goals, and 9 assists overall.[25] In La Liga, he recorded 7 goals and 8 assists in 29 matches, including a notable long-range strike in a 4–2 victory over Valencia in January 2009 that highlighted his signature cutting runs from the right flank.[25] However, injuries persisted, with an Achilles tendon issue in early 2009 causing a 15-day absence and a torn muscle fiber later that month sidelining him for 23 days.[26] These setbacks limited his consistency, though he contributed to another La Liga title and scored his sole Champions League goal for Real in a 3–2 group-stage win against Juventus in October 2008.[25] By June 2009, amid a squad overhaul following the departure of Schuster and the arrival of new president Florentino Pérez, Robben was made available for transfer alongside other players.[27] He departed Real Madrid that summer, having made 63 appearances and scored 13 goals in total during his two-year stint, which was ultimately defined by his talent overshadowed by recurrent injuries.[28]

Bayern Munich (2009–2019)

Arjen Robben joined Bayern Munich from Real Madrid on 28 August 2009 for a transfer fee of approximately €25 million.[29] He made an immediate impact on his Bundesliga debut the following day against VfL Wolfsburg, entering as a substitute at halftime and scoring twice in a 3-0 victory, with both goals assisted by teammate Franck Ribéry.[30] This performance marked the beginning of the renowned "Robbery" partnership with Ribéry on Bayern's wings. In his debut season, Robben contributed significantly to Bayern's Bundesliga title win in 2010, finishing as the club's top scorer with 16 goals and earning the German Footballer of the Year award.[31][30] Despite his early promise, Robben's tenure was frequently interrupted by injuries, particularly to his hamstrings, thighs, and groin, which caused him to miss around 176 games over the decade.[10] A notable example was a hamstring injury sustained during international duty in 2010, sidelining him for two months and drawing criticism from Bayern toward the Dutch Football Association.[32] These setbacks limited his consistency but did not diminish his influence when fit; in May 2011, he delivered a standout performance against Hamburger SV, scoring twice and providing three assists in a 5-1 win.[33] Robben's most iconic contributions came during the 2012–13 season, as Bayern achieved a historic treble under Jupp Heynckes. In the UEFA Champions League semi-finals against Barcelona, he scored in both legs of a 7-0 aggregate demolition, opening the scoring in the 4-0 first-leg victory at the Allianz Arena and again in the 3-0 second-leg win at Camp Nou.[33] He then sealed the treble in the final against Borussia Dortmund on 25 May 2013 at Wembley Stadium, scoring the decisive goal in the 89th minute for a 2-1 victory, earning him the nickname "Mr. Wembley."[10] Earlier in the 2009–10 Champions League quarter-finals, Robben had scored a memorable volley against Manchester United in the second leg, securing a 3-2 aggregate win to advance Bayern to the final.[33] Over the subsequent years, Robben remained a pivotal player despite ongoing injury concerns, helping Bayern secure eight consecutive Bundesliga titles from 2013 to 2019. He reached his 100th competitive goal for the club on 16 December 2014 in a 2-0 win over SC Freiburg. In the 2016–17 season, he scored crucial goals in the Champions League, including against Arsenal in the round of 16. Robben's Bayern career concluded at the end of the 2018–19 season, where he contributed to a domestic double, winning both the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal; his farewell match was the 3–0 DFB-Pokal final victory over RB Leipzig on 25 May 2019.[34] During his decade at Bayern, Robben made 309 appearances, scoring 144 goals and providing 100 assists in 22,039 minutes played.[19] His honors with the club are summarized below:
CompetitionTitles WonYears
Bundesliga82010, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
DFB-Pokal52010, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2019
DFL-Supercup52010, 2012, 2016, 2017, 2018
UEFA Champions League12013
UEFA Super Cup12013
FIFA Club World Cup12013

Return to Groningen (2020–2021)

After retiring from professional football in July 2019 following a long stint at Bayern Munich, Arjen Robben announced his return to the sport by signing a one-year contract with FC Groningen, his boyhood club, on 28 June 2020.[35][36] The 36-year-old winger, who had begun his professional career at Groningen two decades earlier, cited a renewed passion for the game and a desire to contribute to the club that launched him as motivations for the comeback.[35] He scored in a pre-season friendly against Arminia Bielefeld on 6 September 2020, marking his first goal for the club since leaving in 2002.[37] Robben made his competitive return on 13 September 2020, substituting in the 28th minute during Groningen's Eredivisie opener against PSV Eindhoven, but lasted only one minute more before suffering a groin injury that forced him off.[38][39] This setback initiated a prolonged period of absences, exacerbated by further injuries including a hamstring issue in October 2020 and a calf strain in March 2021, limiting him to just two appearances over the next seven months.[40][41] Robben resumed playing on 11 April 2021, entering as a substitute in the 78th minute of a 0–2 home defeat to Heerenveen after recovering from his calf injury.[42] He earned his first start since September in a 4–0 away victory over Emmen on 9 May 2021, where he provided two assists in 71 minutes, helping Groningen secure a mid-table finish in the Eredivisie.[43] Over the season, he made seven league appearances (263 minutes total), recording no goals but two assists, as persistent physical issues hampered his involvement.[13] On 15 July 2021, shortly after the expiration of his contract, Robben announced his second retirement from professional football, attributing the decision to recurring injuries that prevented consistent performance despite his emotional attachment to the club.[44][5][41] He expressed gratitude to Groningen for the opportunity but emphasized the toll of physical setbacks on his body.[41]

International career

Youth international career (2000–2003)

Robben's youth international career with the Netherlands began in 2000 at the U17 level, where he earned three caps and scored one goal, making his debut on 26 September 2000 at the age of 16.[45] These appearances highlighted his early potential as a speedy winger, though the team did not qualify for major tournaments like the 2000 UEFA European Under-17 Championship. In 2001, he progressed to the Netherlands U19 squad, accumulating eight caps and two goals between 2001 and 2002, primarily during the qualification campaign for the 2002 UEFA European Under-19 Championship. His contributions included a goal in a 8-1 friendly win against Albania U19 on 10 November 2001 and another in qualifiers, such as against San Marino, helping the team advance through early rounds despite not reaching the finals. Robben's performances in these matches showcased his dribbling ability and left-footed precision from the right flank. By late 2001, Robben had also debuted for the Netherlands U21 team, going on to make eight appearances and score one goal by the end of 2003, with most games in UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifiers.[46] Notable outings included a goal in a 4-1 victory over Germany U21 on 19 November 2002 during qualification, where he started and played 45 minutes.[47] His U21 involvement overlapped with his rising club form at PSV Eindhoven, positioning him as a key prospect for the senior team ahead of his debut in 2003.

Senior debut and Euro 2004

Robben earned his first senior cap for the Netherlands on 30 April 2003, coming on as a substitute in a friendly match against Portugal in Eindhoven, which ended in a 1-2 defeat.[48] At 19 years old, the PSV Eindhoven winger impressed with his pace and dribbling during his brief appearance, marking the beginning of a 14-year international career that would see him earn 96 caps.[1] Under coach Dick Advocaat, Robben quickly established himself in the national team setup, building on his strong performances in the Eredivisie. Selected for UEFA Euro 2004 in Portugal despite limited senior experience, the 20-year-old Robben became one of the tournament's standout performers, providing four assists in five appearances and leading the competition in creative contributions.[49] In the group stage opener against Germany on 15 June, he delivered a key cross for Ruud van Nistelrooy's 81st-minute equalizer in a 1-1 draw.[50] Against the Czech Republic three days later, Robben set up both Dutch goals—a free-kick assist for Wilfred Bouma's header in the 19th minute and a precise pass for Van Nistelrooy's finish in the 31st—before being substituted in the 59th minute as the Netherlands fell 2-3 in a dramatic comeback defeat. He added another assist against Latvia on 23 June, threading a pass to Van Nistelrooy early in the 3-0 victory that secured progression to the knockout rounds.[51] In the quarter-final against Sweden on 26 June, Robben started and played the full 120 minutes of the goalless draw, stepping up to convert the decisive penalty in the shoot-out to send the Netherlands through 5-4.[52] His composure under pressure was praised, with the young winger noting he felt no nerves during the spot-kick.[53] Robben entered the semi-final against Portugal as a late substitute in the 81st minute but could not prevent a 1-2 extra-time loss, ending the Netherlands' campaign as runners-up to eventual champions Greece.[54] Overall, his Euro 2004 exploits highlighted his emerging talent as a dynamic right winger, blending speed, vision, and delivery to influence key moments.[55]

2006 World Cup and Euro 2008

Robben emerged as a standout performer for the Netherlands at the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, where he featured in three of the team's four matches. In the group stage opener against Serbia and Montenegro on 11 June, he scored the decisive goal in the 18th minute, sliding the ball under the goalkeeper after a flick-on from teammate Robin van Persie to secure a 1-0 victory.[56] Three days later, against Ivory Coast, Robben added to his tally with the second goal in a 2-1 win, finishing a move initiated by Wesley Sneijder with a precise low shot from the edge of the box in the 27th minute.[57] His dynamic runs and dribbling were pivotal in both games, earning praise for bewildering the opposition defenses.[58] However, Robben accumulated two yellow cards in the group stage matches, resulting in a suspension for the final group encounter against Argentina on 21 June, which ended in a 0-0 draw.[59] The Netherlands topped Group C with seven points and advanced to the round of 16, where they faced Portugal on 25 June. Robben returned to the lineup but could not prevent a 1-0 defeat marred by controversy, as the match saw 16 yellow cards and four red cards issued; Maniche's 34th-minute strike proved decisive for Portugal.[60] Despite the exit, Robben's two goals marked his most prolific World Cup campaign to that point, highlighting his speed and finishing ability on the international stage. Turning to UEFA Euro 2008 in Austria and Switzerland, Robben recovered from a hamstring injury sustained in April to play a central role under coach Marco van Basten, appearing in all four matches for the Netherlands.[61] The team began with a 3-0 win over Italy on 9 June, where Robben's wing play contributed to the dominance, though he did not score. In the standout group stage match against France on 13 June, Robben netted the third goal in a 4-1 rout, curling a left-footed shot into the top corner from 20 yards in the 72nd minute after a quick counter-attack.[62] The Netherlands finished atop Group C unbeaten, drawing 0-0 with Romania on 17 June, before advancing to the quarter-finals. In the quarter-final against Russia on 21 June, Russia took the lead in the 56th minute through Roman Pavlyuchenko's volley, before Ruud van Nistelrooy equalized with a header in the 86th minute, but the Netherlands ultimately fell 3-1 after extra time, with Russia advancing on goals from Dmitri Torbinski and Andrey Arshavin.[63] His one goal in the tournament underscored his importance to the attack, though the team's elimination ended a promising campaign that saw them score ten goals in four games.

2010 World Cup and Euro 2012

Robben entered the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa dealing with a hamstring injury that had sidelined him during Bayern Munich's preseason. He missed the Netherlands' opening group stage victories over Denmark (2–0) and Japan (1–0) but returned as a substitute in the final group match against Cameroon on 24 June, playing the last 17 minutes of a 2–1 win.[45] His reintegration proved pivotal for the Oranje's run to the final.[64] In the knockout stages, Robben started all matches and emerged as one of the tournament's standout performers. He scored the opener in the round of 16 against Slovakia on 28 June, curling a left-footed shot into the top corner after 18 minutes to secure a 2–0 victory and advance to the quarter-finals. Against Brazil in the quarter-finals on 2 July, he played the full 90 minutes and contributed to the 2–1 upset by helping disrupt the Brazilian defense, though the goals came from Dirk Kuyt and Wesley Sneijder. In the semi-final versus Uruguay on 6 July, Robben added his second goal of the tournament in the 73rd minute, tapping in after a Sneijder shot was saved, clinching a 3–2 win and propelling the Netherlands to their third World Cup final. Overall, he appeared in five matches, scoring twice and providing key attacking impetus with his dribbling and pace.[45] The final against Spain on 11 July was a tense, physical affair that ended 1–0 to the Spaniards after extra time, with Andrés Iniesta scoring in the 116th minute. Robben started and played the full 120 minutes, creating several chances including a notable one-on-one opportunity in the 116th minute that was denied by Iker Casillas's save.[65] His performance drew praise for his threat on the right flank, though the miss in the final became a defining moment of near-redemption for the Netherlands.[66] Following the World Cup, Robben's form carried into UEFA Euro 2012 in Poland and Ukraine, but the Netherlands endured a dismal group stage exit. He started all three matches in Group B, playing 263 minutes total. Against Denmark on 9 June, he featured in a 1–0 loss where Robin van Persie scored the only goal.[45] In the 2–1 defeat to Germany on 13 June, Robben provided an assist for van Persie's equalizer in the 83rd minute before Mario Gómez's winner. He assisted Rafael van der Vaart's opener in the 1–2 loss to Portugal on 17 June, but Cristiano Ronaldo's late brace eliminated the Dutch. Robben ended the tournament without goals but with two assists, unable to prevent the Oranje from failing to advance despite his creative contributions.[45]

2014 World Cup

Robben played a pivotal role in the Netherlands' campaign at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, where the team, under manager Louis van Gaal, advanced to the semi-finals and secured third place.[67] He featured in all seven matches, logging 690 minutes and contributing three goals and three assists, which underscored his importance as a winger and occasional forward.[67] His pace, dribbling, and long-range shooting were instrumental in the Oranje's counter-attacking style, helping them top Group B with seven points. In the group stage, Robben announced his presence with a brace in the 5–1 upset victory over defending champions Spain on 13 June, scoring in the 53rd and 80th minutes to seal the rout after Robin van Persie's iconic header.[68] Against Australia four days later, he added his third goal of the tournament in the 20th minute, though the match ended 3–2 amid defensive lapses.[67] In the final group fixture versus Chile on 23 June, a 2–0 win clinched first place; Robben provided the assist for Memphis Depay's stoppage-time strike, despite a goalless first half marked by high temperatures and tactical caution.[69] These performances propelled the Netherlands into the knockout rounds with momentum, as Robben's directness exploited spaces against compact defenses.[67] The round of 16 clash with Mexico on 29 June was tense, ending 2–1 in the Netherlands' favor after extra time was avoided. Giovani dos Santos gave Mexico the lead in the 48th minute, but Robben assisted Wesley Sneijder's 88th-minute equalizer with a precise cut-back.[70] In stoppage time, Robben won a penalty after contact from Rafael Márquez in the box, converted by Klaas-Jan Huntelaar to secure advancement—though an earlier first-half dive by Robben drew criticism and prompted his post-match apology, where he admitted to simulating but insisted the late foul was genuine.[71] In the quarter-finals against Costa Rica on 5 July, a 0–0 draw led to a 4–3 penalty shootout win, with Robben converting his spot-kick but otherwise subdued in a low-scoring affair.[67] The semi-final versus Argentina on 9 July also finished 0–0, ending in a 4–2 shootout loss after Robben missed a late chance; he successfully took his penalty but could not prevent elimination.[67] In the third-place match against hosts Brazil on 12 July, Robben helped deliver a 3–0 consolation victory, assisting Daley Blind's opener in the 17th minute with a driven cross.[67] His overall tournament impact earned him the Bronze Ball as the third-best player, behind Lionel Messi and Thomas Müller, recognizing his decisive contributions amid the Netherlands' surprising run.[72]

International retirement (2015–2017)

Following a strong showing at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, Arjen Robben's international involvement diminished significantly in 2015 due to persistent injuries. He made only one appearance for the Netherlands that year, a 31-minute substitute outing in a 0–1 UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying defeat to Iceland on 3 September, where he suffered a thigh injury that sidelined him for several weeks.[73] This injury, combined with ongoing adductor problems, limited his participation in subsequent qualifiers and club matches, contributing to the Netherlands' struggles in the campaign despite their eventual qualification for the tournament.[74] Robben was absent from the Netherlands' Euro 2016 squad, announced in May 2016, as he continued recovering from a series of muscle injuries that had plagued his 2015–16 season at Bayern Munich. His absence was a notable blow to the team, which exited the group stage without a win, highlighting the impact of his unavailability on the squad's attacking options.[75] Robben later reflected on the disappointment, stating that the Netherlands' qualification success without him "sucks" and raising concerns about his future in major tournaments.[76] Robben made a brief return in November 2016, featuring in a 3–1 World Cup qualifying win over Luxembourg on 13 November, where he scored once in 45 minutes off the bench. This marked his only international appearance that year amid ongoing fitness battles. By early 2017, he was fully reintegrated into the Netherlands squad under coach Danny Blind and later Dick Advocaat, captaining the side in several 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. He played in seven matches that year, starting six and completing full 90 minutes in five, while contributing six goals—including one in a 5–0 win over Luxembourg in June and a brace in the decisive 2–0 victory over Sweden on 10 October.[77][78] Despite his efforts, the Netherlands finished third in their qualifying group and failed to reach the 2018 World Cup playoffs. Immediately after the Sweden match, Robben announced his retirement from international football on 10 October 2017, ending his Oranje career with 96 caps and 37 goals. He cited the physical toll of his career and a desire to focus on club football as key factors, stating, "I've given everything for the national team, but now it's time to say goodbye."[79] This retirement concluded a 14-year international tenure that included three World Cups and three European Championships, though his final years were overshadowed by injuries that restricted him to just nine appearances from 2015 to 2017.[80]

Playing style and legacy

Playing style

Arjen Robben was renowned as an inverted winger, predominantly deployed on the right flank despite being left-footed, allowing him to cut inside and exploit central spaces with his dominant foot.[81] This positioning maximized his ability to transition from wide areas into goal-scoring opportunities, often receiving the ball from teammates like full-backs or midfielders before accelerating past defenders.[1] His signature move—dribbling at speed along the right touchline and then sharply veering inward to unleash a powerful left-footed shot—earned him the moniker "Mr Cut-Inside" and became a hallmark of modern wing play.[1][82] Robben's playing style emphasized explosive pace and exceptional dribbling technique, enabling him to outmaneuver opponents in one-on-one duels with close ball control and rapid changes of direction.[1][82] He terrorized full-backs with his acceleration, frequently leaving markers like Sergio Ramos trailing during the 2014 World Cup, where his direct runs created chaos in defensive lines.[82] While his approach was often predictable—opponents anticipated the inward cut—Robben's execution rendered it devastatingly effective, as demonstrated by his 99 Bundesliga goals for Bayern Munich, many from the edge of the penalty area.[81][82] He balanced self-oriented attacks with team play, occasionally opting for assists or crosses, as seen in his tenth goal deferral during a match for Groningen to set up a teammate.[1] Throughout his career, Robben evolved from a versatile wide player capable of operating on either flank or centrally in his youth and early PSV days to a specialized right-sided threat.[81] At Chelsea and Real Madrid, injuries hampered his consistency, limiting him to 15 goals in 67 Premier League appearances and 11 in 50 La Liga games, but he adapted under managers like José Mourinho by honing his right-wing role.[82][19] His peak came at Bayern Munich, where he formed a complementary partnership with left-sided Franck Ribéry, scoring decisive goals like the winner in the 2013 Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund.[81] Robben also showed positional flexibility, occasionally shifting to centre-forward, as during the 2014 World Cup, while maintaining low defensive contributions to preserve energy for offensive bursts.[82] Despite chronic injuries affecting availability, his fitness management later in his Bayern tenure—under coaches like Louis van Gaal and Pep Guardiola—allowed him to deliver hat-tricks, such as in Bayern's 7-0 rout of Hannover in 2010, underscoring his enduring impact as a game-changer when fit.[1][82]

Legacy

Arjen Robben is widely regarded as one of the most influential wingers of his generation, particularly for revolutionizing the right-wing role through his signature cut-inside move onto his left foot, which combined exceptional dribbling, speed, and curling shots to dismantle defenses.[1] This style, often dubbed "Mr. Cut-Inside," not only defined his personal flair but also influenced modern attacking play, as noted by former Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola for its disruptive effect on opponents.[1] Despite persistent injury challenges that limited his consistency, Robben's career spanned elite clubs like PSV Eindhoven, Chelsea, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich, where he amassed over 600 club appearances and more than 200 goals, earning accolades as one of the greatest Dutch footballers.[1][19] At Bayern Munich, where he spent a decade from 2009 to 2019, Robben left an indelible mark as the club's top foreign scorer with 99 Bundesliga goals and the most goals by a Dutch player in the competition, surpassing previous records through 201 league matches that yielded 62 assists.[83][19] His clutch performances were pivotal, including the winning goal in the 2013 UEFA Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund—earning him the nickname "Mr. Wembley"—which completed Bayern's treble under Jupp Heynckes and solidified the club's era of dominance with eight Bundesliga titles, five DFB-Pokals, and that solitary European crown.[83] Teammate Michael Ballack praised Robben as a "leader at the club even during tough times," highlighting his ambition and loyalty that made him a fan favorite and key figure in Bayern's transformation into a European superclub.[83] Under Guardiola, Robben evolved tactically, adapting from a pure winger to more central roles, which enhanced his consistency and contributed to personal bests like 17 league goals in the 2013/14 season.[84] Internationally, Robben's legacy with the Netherlands national team underscores his big-game prowess, as evidenced by his 96 caps and 37 goals, including a man-of-the-match display in the 2014 FIFA World Cup round of 16 against Chile that helped secure a bronze medal—the Oranje's best finish since 1978.[1] Former coach Bert van Marwijk described him as the "most complete" among contemporaries like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, crediting his role in the 2004 EURO quarter-final penalty shoot-out victory.[1] Robben's Bayern tenure also bolstered the Dutch side, pairing his brilliance with Robin van Persie's to elevate performances in 2013 and 2014, though elusive major tournament triumphs amplified his reputation for near-misses turned iconic moments.[84] Overall, Robben's career exemplifies resilience and professionalism, inspiring future generations with 114 UEFA club appearances and 32 goals that drove Bayern's attacking legacy.[1]

Personal life and sponsorships

Personal life

Arjen Robben was born on 23 January 1984 in Bedum, a town in the northeastern Netherlands.[31] He grew up in a supportive family environment, with his father, Hans Robben, serving as his agent from the early stages of his professional career, and his mother, Marjo Robben, providing a close-knit home base.[85] Robben developed a passion for football at a young age, influenced by his family's encouragement, and attended high school in Groningen, where he met his future wife.[86] Robben married his high school sweetheart, Bernadien Eillert, on 9 June 2007 in Groningen.[87] The couple has maintained a low-profile relationship, with Bernadien often accompanying him to events but avoiding the public spotlight. They have three children: sons Luka, born in 2008, and Kai, born in 2012, along with daughter Lynn, born in 2010.[88] Known for his family-oriented lifestyle, Robben has prioritized time with his wife and children amid his demanding career, often crediting them for his motivation.[89] Upon announcing his retirement from professional football in July 2019, he highlighted his eagerness to focus on family life, stating it was time to "enjoy all the good things that lie ahead for us."[90] The family relocated to the Netherlands following his playing days, where Robben has continued to shield his personal affairs from media scrutiny.

Sponsorships

Throughout his professional career, Arjen Robben maintained a prominent endorsement deal with Adidas, the German sportswear giant, which aligned with his role as a key ambassador for the brand's football products. This partnership highlighted his signature speed and dribbling prowess, often featuring him in campaigns centered on innovative boot technology.[91] One of Robben's early notable Adidas endorsements came in 2005, when he starred alongside Jermain Defoe in the global "Gimme the Ball" campaign promoting the F50+ football boots, portraying supernatural battles to emphasize the product's lightweight design and performance edge.[92] By 2012, Robben appeared in the introspective "Robben vs. Robben" advertisement, where he competed against his own high standards to showcase the Predator line's precision and control, reinforcing his status as a brand icon.[93] As a star for the Netherlands national team, Robben's Adidas deal extended to international campaigns, including promotions tied to World Cup efforts, where the brand leveraged his appeal alongside teammates like Robin van Persie to boost visibility in key markets.[94] This long-term association continued through his tenure at Bayern Munich, whose kit sponsorship with Adidas further amplified his exposure, though his personal endorsement focused on individual athlete branding rather than club deals.[95][96] Post-retirement in 2021, Robben remained linked to Adidas through legacy campaigns, underscoring his enduring marketability in European football.[91]

Career statistics

Club

Arjen Robben amassed 614 appearances, 209 goals, and 166 assists across his club career with five teams.[4]
ClubYearsAppearancesGoalsAssists
FC Groningen2000–2002, 2020–202159127
PSV Eindhoven2002–2004752121
Chelsea2004–20071061923
Real Madrid2007–2009651315
Bayern Munich2009–2019309144100
Total614209166
These figures encompass all competitive matches, including domestic leagues, cups, and European competitions.[4]

International

Arjen Robben earned 96 caps and scored 37 goals for the Netherlands from his debut on 30 April 2003 (a 1–1 friendly draw against Portugal, as a substitute) until his retirement on 10 October 2017. His first goal came on 11 October 2003 in a 2–0 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Moldova.[48]
CompetitionAppearancesGoals
FIFA World Cup qualifiers3414
UEFA European Championship qualifiers218
UEFA Nations League20
Friendlies2312
FIFA World Cup1510
UEFA European Championship90
Total9637

Major Tournaments

TournamentAppearancesGoals
UEFA Euro 200450
2006 FIFA World Cup42
UEFA Euro 200840
2010 FIFA World Cup73
UEFA Euro 201230
2014 FIFA World Cup74
2018 FIFA World Cup00
Total309

Honours

PSV Eindhoven

  • Eredivisie: 2002–03, 2003–04
  • Johan Cruyff Shield: 2003[3]

Chelsea

  • Premier League: 2004–05, 2005–06
  • FA Cup: 2006–07
  • EFL Cup: 2004–05, 2006–07
  • FA Community Shield: 2005[3]

Real Madrid

  • La Liga: 2007–08, 2008–09[3]

Bayern Munich

  • Bundesliga: 2009–10, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2018–19
  • DFB-Pokal: 2009–10, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2015–16, 2018–19
  • UEFA Champions League: 2012–13
  • UEFA Super Cup: 2013
  • FIFA Club World Cup: 2013
  • DFL-Supercup: 2012, 2017[3]

Netherlands

Individual

  • VDV Player of the Season: 2009–10[3]

Post-retirement activities

Coaching career

Following his retirement from professional football in July 2021, Arjen Robben began his coaching journey in the youth ranks. In January 2022, he took on a coaching role with the under-14 team at Be Quick 1887, a fifth-tier Dutch club based in Groningen, where he trained the players three times a week and emphasized enjoyment and skill development in football.[10] Under his guidance, the team won a league title during his tenure.[97] In August 2023, Robben returned to FC Groningen, the club where he made his professional debut, to complete a coaching internship as part of obtaining his UEFA coaching license. During this period, he worked in a supporting capacity with the under-18 team alongside coach Melchior Schoenmakers, focusing on the discovery phase of youth development rather than a full head coaching commitment.[98] Robben's involvement with Groningen's youth academy continued in subsequent seasons in various advisory roles. On 2 May 2025, FC Groningen officially appointed him as head coach of the under-14 team, marking his first full managerial position at a professional club's academy. This role allows him to mentor young talents, including his own sons who are part of the club's youth setup, while drawing on his extensive playing experience at the club from 2000 to 2002.[99][100]

Media and other pursuits

Following his retirement from professional football in July 2021, Arjen Robben has contributed to media projects focused on athlete well-being. In 2021, he shared personal insights on the physical and mental health challenges encountered during his career in the book The Secret Balance of Champions: Health Challenges in Elite Sport, a collaborative work featuring stories from 32 elite athletes to raise awareness about post-career transitions and injuries.[101] The publication, launched with support from FIFPRO, emphasizes preventive strategies and resilience, drawing from Robben's experiences with recurrent injuries that plagued much of his playing days.[102] Robben has also engaged in occasional media interviews, providing commentary on football and life after retirement. In a 2023 feature for FC Bayern Munich's "Säbener 51" magazine, he discussed maintaining humility amid success, his family life in Groningen, and the importance of staying grounded regardless of accolades like his eight Bundesliga titles.[10] More recently, in October 2025, he offered advice to young Bayern talent Lennart Karl via club media, stressing daily self-improvement and focusing on upcoming matches over past performances.[103] Beyond media, Robben has pursued athletic endeavors to stay active. He completed the Rotterdam Marathon in April 2023 with a time of 2 hours, 58 minutes, and 33 seconds, crediting running for helping him manage fitness post-retirement.[10] In 2025, he transitioned to padel, a racket sport blending elements of tennis and squash, making his professional debut at the CUPRA FIP Tour qualifier in the Netherlands alongside partner Werner Lootsma in August; the duo overcame six match points to secure qualification, marking Robben's competitive entry into the rapidly growing discipline.[104] As of November 2025, Robben has continued competing on the FIP Tour, earning his first ranking points (currently ranked 1,980 with 3 points) and securing his debut professional win.[105][106]

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