Robin van Persie (Part 4)

During the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign, the Netherlands exhibited their dominance by topping Group 9 with a flawless record, winning all of their matches.
Robin van Persie was a crucial part of the Dutch squad during this period and was named in the preliminary squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. Eventually, on 27 May 2010, Netherlands manager Bert van Marwijk confirmed that van Persie had made it to the final squad of 23 players participating in the tournament.
Van Persie was immediately thrust into action, featuring in the starting lineup for the Netherlands' opening match against Denmark, which ended in a 2–0 victory for the Dutch side. His impact was felt more significantly in the subsequent match against Cameroon on 24 June, where he opened the scoring in a 2–1 win, securing the top spot for the Netherlands in their group. Van Persie's performance in this match earned him the official Man of the Match award.


Throughout the tournament, van Persie remained a constant presence in the starting lineup for the Dutch national team, starting in every match. Despite his early goal against Cameroon, he was unable to add to his goal tally in the later matches of the tournament.
Despite van Persie's contributions, the Netherlands ultimately reached the pinnacle of the tournament, the 2010 World Cup Final. However, they faced defeat in the final match against Spain, with Andrés Iniesta's extra-time goal securing victory for the Spanish side. Despite the disappointment of falling short in the final, van Persie's participation and performances throughout the tournament underscored his importance to the Dutch team.


On 2 September 2011, Robin van Persie showcased his scoring prowess by netting four goals in a historic 11–0 victory over San Marino during the UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying Group E match. This remarkable performance not only contributed to the Netherlands' resounding win but also propelled van Persie into the top 10 all-time goal scorers for the Dutch national team, surpassing the legendary Marco van Basten's tally with a total of 25 goals. Van Persie's feat marked a significant milestone in his international career, cementing his status as one of the Netherlands' most prolific goal scorers.


Throughout the Euro 2012 qualifying campaign, van Persie continued to demonstrate his goal-scoring prowess, tallying a total of six goals to aid the Netherlands' progression.
In the European Championship group stage match against Germany on 13 June 2012, despite a 2–1 loss for the Dutch side, van Persie provided a memorable moment by scoring the lone goal for the Netherlands. After missing two earlier opportunities, he capitalized on a chance near the halfway line, displaying his skill and determination as he surged past the German defense before unleashing a powerful shot into the bottom corner from the edge of the penalty area. Van Persie's goal showcased his individual brilliance and served as a testament to his ability to make a significant impact on the international stage.


In the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign, Robin van Persie showcased his scoring prowess by finishing as the top scorer in the UEFA section with an impressive tally of 11 goals. His remarkable goal-scoring exploits earned him recognition as one of the most prolific strikers in European football.
In June 2013, van Persie was bestowed with the honor of captaining the Dutch national team by manager Louis van Gaal, a testament to his leadership qualities and importance to the squad. This marked a significant milestone in his international career, as he took on the responsibility of leading his country on the field.


On 11 October 2013, van Persie etched his name into Dutch football history by becoming the Netherlands' all-time top goalscorer. In a commanding 8–1 victory over Hungary, he delivered a scintillating hat-trick, surpassing Patrick Kluivert's previous record with a total of 41 goals in 80 international appearances.
Van Persie's influence continued to shine on the grand stage of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. As captain of the Dutch team, he led by example in their opening match against reigning champions Spain, orchestrating a stunning 5–1 triumph with two well-taken goals, including a memorable flying header that garnered global acclaim and earned him a nomination for the FIFA Puskás Award.


Throughout the tournament, van Persie's scoring prowess remained evident, as he added to his goal tally with strikes against Australia and Brazil. His pivotal contributions propelled the Netherlands to the knockout stage and saw them advance to the quarter-finals after a thrilling penalty shootout victory over Costa Rica.
In the third-place play-off against Brazil, van Persie once again found the back of the net, converting a penalty kick to secure a 3–0 win for the Netherlands. His performance throughout the World Cup showcased his versatility as a striker, as he became the first player since 1966 to score with his left foot, right foot, and head in addition to converting from a free kick and a penalty kick. Van Persie's impressive displays solidified his status as one of the standout performers of the tournament and further cemented his legacy in Dutch football history.


Robin van Persie faced a change in his role within the Dutch national team as he was replaced by Arjen Robben as captain, marking a shift in leadership dynamics within the squad.
Van Persie reached a significant milestone in his international career on 10 October, when he made his 100th appearance for the Netherlands in a UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying match against Kazakhstan. Despite being substituted late in the game, his achievement of reaching a century of caps highlighted his enduring commitment and contribution to the national team over the years.
However, Van Persie's landmark appearance was marred by a disappointing result in the subsequent match against the Czech Republic on 13 October. Coming on as a substitute, he inadvertently scored an own goal, which proved to be decisive in the Dutch team's 3-2 defeat. This defeat ultimately led to the Netherlands failing to qualify for an international tournament for the first time since 2002, marking a significant setback for Dutch football on the international stage.


Robin van Persie was born into an artistic family in Rotterdam. His mother, José Ras, is a painter and jewellery designer, known for her work with special needs children. His father, Bob, is a sculptor. After his parents' divorce, Van Persie was primarily raised by his father. During his school years, he faced behavioral challenges and was frequently excluded from class. Following his move to England to play for Arsenal, Van Persie settled in Hampstead, a prestigious area in north London. He is married to Bouchra , who is of Moroccan descent. The couple has two children: a son named Shaqueel, born in 2006, and a daughter named Dina, born in 2009.
Despite his wife's Moroccan background, Van Persie clarified that he has not converted to Islam. He emphasized that he was raised with liberal values and believes that any religious affiliation should come from genuine conviction rather than external pressures.

References

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