Arjen Robben was a thrilling piece in some of the finest Dutch squads ever generated, with his distinctive scurrying sprinting ability, captivating pace, and fantastic left foot. Robben had many iconic moments in his fascinating career making him a Bayern Munich legend.
Beste voetbalvrienden,
Ik heb besloten om te stoppen met mijn actieve voetbalcarrière. Een heel moeilijke keuze. Ik wil iedereen bedanken voor alle hartverwarmende steun!
Groetjes, Arjen pic.twitter.com/aAEdxdL5tU
— Arjen Robben (@ArjenRobben) July 15, 2021
The Dutch star started his career at Groningen, the same place he ended it. But the tenure between the two Groningen visits is what makes Robben a fascinating player. We at FootTheBall take a look most iconic moments of Arjen Robben.
PREMIER LEAGUE’S NEW DUTCHMAN
Wherever Arjen Robben went trophies followed. After being considered as a wonderkid, Robben was signed by Premier League club Chelsea. The Dutchman conquered almost every English prize, establishing himself as one of the best players. Although he wasn’t the driving force behind Blues’ triumphs, he surely played his role.
To put to context, Robben’s Premier League endeavour saw him conquer 2 Premier League, 1 FA Cup, 2 English League Cup, and 2 English Super Cup. Although Robben’s Premier League career was shrouded with injuries he received an offer from Los Blancos.
Enjoy your retirement, @ArjenRobben!
What a player. 👏 pic.twitter.com/RbBwQUcLRD
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) July 15, 2021
“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 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.”
A SPANISH ADVENTURE
Robben was a key player in several Real Madrid fixtures, making his famed runs down the left side and soon establishing himself as a prominent option leading the charge from the left, earning 28 starts and netting five strikes in his inaugural stint in Spain.
As the Madrid team took the field at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, the Catalan teammates arranged a standing ovation, and Robben performed a key role in Real Madrid’s 4–1 triumph, smashing a goal for the La Liga champions.
👏 Congrats on a fantastic career and enjoy your retirement, @ArjenRobben! pic.twitter.com/e9sLcacKlT
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) July 15, 2021
Perez injected two champion players into Real Madrid’s roster, throwing Robben to the Spanish squad’s bench. The Dutchman soon became a benchwarmer in Spain losing his place to new signings Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo. Robben claimed he was “forced” to leave Real Madrid, saying that he “didn’t want to go, but the club wanted to sell him.”
FIRST BUNDESLIGA HATTRICK
The Flying Dutchman was assisted by Mark van Bommel, Philipp Lahm, and Anatoliy Tymoshchuk on a humbling evening for the Bavarians, who were defeated 7-0 by a vintage Robben demonstration. Robben had a monstrous outing in Germany after signing for the Bavarians in August.
Leaving Los Blancos because of a handful of average seasons at Madrid, the Dutch entered Germany with sparkling eyes and hunger for goals. Hannover was on the wrong side of the thrashing as the Dutchman inspired Bayern Munich to a mesmerising triumph.
THE 2010 PLAYER OF THE YEAR
German magazine Kicker announced Dutch footballer, Arjen Robben the German Player of the Year. The Bayern Munich manager, Louis Van Gaal was awarded the Best Coach of the Year as the two recipients were showered with accolades that summer. Robben since his arrival at Bayern was instrumental in offering his services to the German team.
Lifting the treble with the Bavarians, after an insulting performance two years back, Robben was Louis Van Gaal’s biggest asset. “This is a great honour, a reward for a super season,” said Robben. “We only missed out in one game, otherwise we would have won everything.“
THE WINNER IN THE FINALE
Arjen Robben has netted several crucial strikes for the Bavarians over his career. The victory over BVB in the ultimate showdown in the 2013 Champions League finals, though, will be remembered as one of Robben’s crucial performances. The contest appeared to go to extra time when Ilkay Gündogan’s spot-kick wiped out towering forward Mario Mandzukic’s goal.
On this day in 2013: the most glorious night
Jupp Heynckes' Bayern achieved glory at Wembley by beating Jürgen Klopp's Borussia Dortmund 2-1 in the Champions League final.
Mario Mandzukic opened the scoring for Bayern, before Arjen Robben won it in the 89th minute.
[UEFA] pic.twitter.com/Rk9cpXBZrx
— Bavarian Tweets (@BavarianTweets) May 25, 2020
Robben’s winner wasn’t your typical dart inside from the outside and a dazzling rocket into the top corner, but it was another illustration of his amazing talent. Robben grabbed onto a wayward pass in the 89th minute and performed a fantastic flick to get away from the Dortmund opponents. He pushed the football past Roman Weidenfeller with the gentlest of caresses to give the Bavarians an iconic Champions League triumph.
THE DEMOLITION OF BARCELONA
It would be absurd to seek to single out a particular accomplishment among the aggregate brilliance that this Bayern team displayed against the Blaugranas whenever the two sides locked horns in Champions League matches. Rather than praising Robben’s mental toughness throughout both matches, it’s important to take a look at his pivotal goal in the semi-final tie.
⏪ When Arjen Robben did THIS against Barcelona… @FCBayernEN | #UCL pic.twitter.com/F4RMjet1R0
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) August 14, 2020
When the Dutch international sprinted towards Adriano and did a technique he’d done many times before, a straightforward cutback and the cleanest of endings to send the football beyond the leaping Catalan goalkeeper to secure Bayern Munich a ticket to the final.
BAYERN VS HERTHA BERLIN 4-0
Even though the German title didn’t land under Robben’s belt, the Dutch was influential in his roster’s victory at Hertha Berlin. The thundering striker netted three goals to guide the Bavarians to an ecstatic triumph. The veteran forward smashed the defenders right and left, thumping goals for fun against Hertha. The Dutch winger took out time to assist his teammate.
The now Los Blanco’s magician was strutting his stuff at Allianz Arena a few years back. And Robben with his magical vision found Kroos who was through on goal, and the German midfielder could have finished with his eyes closed. With a magical hattrick and a delicious assist, Robben established his name in Bayern Munich’s history books.
A TREBLE-WINNING CAMPAIGN
Arjen Robben turned from villain to hero within the blink of an eye. Before Bayern Munich’s glittering treble-winning campaign, Robben was the villain at Allianz Arena after a few shambolic outings ruined Bayern’s silverware aspirations.
He missed a crucial spot-kick to thrash the Bavarians out of the German league while the German giants were brushed aside by English champions Chelsea. But Robben was influential in his outfit’s treble-winning performance.
🔴 When Arjen Robben became Mr Wembley…@FCBayernEN | #UCL https://t.co/H0XriLtzqN pic.twitter.com/gR6CCtU7s3
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) July 15, 2021
Bayern Munich won the Bundesliga, Champions League, and DFB Cup in a historic treble-winning evening. Robben along with his partnership with Frenchman Ribery as both the lethal strikers lashed in from different wings to demolish their rivals. Arjen Robben netted Bayern’s most pivotal goal in their fairytale run.
His strike against old adversaries Dortmund may be the most memorable image of his Bayern career. The Treble surely makes it to the top of the iconic moments of Arjen Robben.
A CENTURY OF TRIUMPHS
For additional reasons, the 2014/15 Bundesliga season was crucial. Robben solidified his reputation on Matchday 24, as Bayern Munich beat Hannover 3-1 to achieve 100 Bundesliga triumphs in the quickest period of matches ever – 126.
Robben will be regarded as one of the top strikers of his time, despite the sad circumstances of his concluding season in the big leagues, following many years of torturing opponent’s defensive lines with his work rate and superb finishing ability.
Never forget when Arjen Robben started sulking after getting taken off and his Bayern teammates couldn't stop laughing 😂 pic.twitter.com/lKZU3VEKfh
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) July 15, 2021
Earning a victory in Germany isn’t a cakewalk but well for Arjen Robben conquering the German land surely was. A century of victories is a commendable job in such fewer matches considering how prone the Dutchman was to injuries. Once again the century of triumphs easily adds to the iconic moments Robben enjoyed in his hunt.
A GLORIOUS JOURNEY IN GERMANY ENDS
Schmelzer and the armies of Bundesliga players Robben has abandoned in his path won’t be missing Robben now that the decade-long misery is finished. Robben bowed out with his 99th German strike on the penultimate day of the 2018/19 season, as Bayern earned their eighth consecutive Bundesliga championship.
Arjen Robben has announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 37.
What a career he has had. pic.twitter.com/nVvVUQfzQ2
— Football Tweet ⚽ (@Football__Tweet) July 15, 2021
The figures don’t do Robben’s impact justice, but 246 goals, 195 assists, and 30 trophies is a commendable reversion for an athlete whose profession was cut short by tangible disappointments.
The Dutchman is the most reliable and exhilarating entertainer of his century, while also being amazingly undervalued, the Dutchman leaves the footballing world with a mesmerising career. Robben had numerous iconic moments and fairytale journey’s in his fascinating career.
