Robben Announces Retirement From Football For Second Time

Robben initially hang up his boots at the end of the 2018/2019 season after winning his eighth Bundesliga title with Bayern Munich but came out of retirement by joining boyhood club Groningen a year later.

The 37-year-old could only play seven games for Groningen last season as a result of fitness problems and has decided to quit football for good.

In a heartfelt statement, Robben said: “I have decided to stop my active football career. A year ago I announced my comeback as a FC Groningen player. I embarked on this adventure with great energy and enthusiasm.

“I only had to deal with physical setbacks quite quickly, which prevented me from playing matches for a very long time. After a long road of trial and error I finally managed to play the last games of the season.

“Looking back on the past season, I have to come to the honest conclusion that the number of match minutes was disappointing.

“I knew in advance that this could happen, but I took up the challenge and gave everything to make it work. And not only me, everyone within the club and in my immediate environment has helped and supported me at all times.

“I am also not unaffected by the warm reactions and support from all football fans.”

Robben began his career in his native Netherlands with Groningen before moving to PSV Eindhoven.

Jose Mourinho priced him to Chelsea from Holland in 2004 and he was part of the Blues side that won back-to-back Premier League titles in 2005 and 2006.

Robben added another league title to his trophy collection after joining Real Madrid in the summer of 2007 but it was at Bayern Munich where he really forged his reputation as one of the best wingers in world football.

In 10 years at Bayern Munich, Robben won eight Bundesliga titles as well as numerous domestic cups and he also scored the winning goal in the Bavarians’ 2-1 win over Borussia Dortmund in the 2013 UEFA Champions League final.

Robben made 96 appearances for the Dutch national team, scoring 36 goals and was an integral member of their squads that lost the 2010 FIFA World Cup final to Spain and finished in third place at the Mundial four years later in Brazil.