Arjen Robben

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11 Mar 2024

Arjen Robben

Arjen Robben, born on 23 January 1984, is a retired Dutch professional footballer renowned for his remarkable skills as a winger. His playing style, characterized by exceptional dribbling, speed, precise ball control, and powerful long-range shots, earned him a reputation as one of the premier wingers of his era.

Robben initially gained recognition with Groningen, where he earned the title of player of the year for the 2000–01 Eredivisie season. Two years later, he made a move to PSV, where he not only secured the Netherlands' Young Player of the Year award but also contributed to winning an Eredivisie title. Following this success, Robben's talents attracted the attention of top clubs, leading to his transfer to Chelsea in 2004 after protracted negotiations. Despite an initial delay in his Chelsea debut due to injury, he played a pivotal role in securing two consecutive Premier League titles and was named the Premier League Player of the Month in November 2004. Following an injury-interrupted third season in England, Robben made a €35 million move to Real Madrid.

Robben further enriched his career by joining Bayern Munich for a fee of around €25 million. In his debut season with Bayern, the team clinched the league title, marking Robben's fifth league title in eight years. He notably scored the winning goal in the 2013 UEFA Champions League final, earning a place in the Squad of the Season. In 2014, Robben's outstanding performances earned him a spot in the FIFPro World XI, the UEFA Team of the Year, and a fourth-place finish in the Ballon d'Or rankings. Throughout his tenure in Germany, he amassed an impressive collection of 20 trophies, including eight Bundesliga titles and five DFB Pokals. His on-field partnership with Franck Ribéry led to the affectionate nickname "Robbery."
Robben played a pivotal role in the Netherlands' journey to the 2010 FIFA World Cup Final, although they lost to Spain. He also represented his country in the 2004, 2008, and 2012 UEFA European Championships, as well as the 2006 and 2014 FIFA World Cups. In the 2014 World Cup, Robben was awarded the Bronze Ball and secured a place in the All-Star Team, further solidifying his legacy in international football.

Groningen elevated Robben to their first team for the 1999–2000 season, witnessing his initial foray into league play with three goals. Manager Jan van Dijk recognized Robben's potential and included the winger in the first-team squad before Groningen's November 2000 away fixture against Twente. However, he didn't make his on-field appearance until 3 December 2000, entering the match as a substitute for the injured Leonardo dos Santos in the 79th minute against RKC Waalwijk. Despite this late start, Robben's talent became evident, and he managed to secure a spot in the starting lineup during the winter months. In 18 starts for Groningen throughout the 2000–01 season, he notched two goals.

Robben's impressive contributions led to him being named the player of the year for his debut season with the club. Alongside teammate Jordi Hoogstrate, he exemplified the strength of the Groningen youth academy. Opting to stay with Groningen, Robben continued to refine his skills during the 2001–02 season, featuring in 28 matches and tallying six goals. His growing prowess caught the attention of PSV, leading to a transfer for €3.9 million before the commencement of the 2002–03 season.

Arjen Robben faced a delayed competitive debut for Chelsea, finally taking the field on 23 October 2004 against Blackburn Rovers. The delay was a result of an injury sustained in a pre-season friendly against Roma, where he broke a metatarsal bone in his right foot following a challenge from Olivier Dacourt. During his recovery period, Robben brought to the attention of the club doctors an unfamiliar growth on one of his testicles. Concerned about the possibility of testicular cancer, the medical team promptly conducted tests, providing Robben with the reassuring news that he was cancer-free.

Despite the setbacks, Robben emerged as a pivotal player for the 2004–05 season. In November 2004, he was honored with the Premier League Player of the Month award. Ending the season with seven goals, his second-highest professional total, Robben was shortlisted for the PFA Young Player of the Year, ultimately losing to Wayne Rooney of Manchester United. Unfortunately, a significant injury sustained in a Premier League match against Blackburn Rovers sidelined him for the 2005 Football League Cup Final, Chelsea's title run-in, and the UEFA Champions League semi-finals.Returning to full fitness for the 2005–06 season, Robben played a crucial role as part of Chelsea's left-wing. In 28 matches, he contributed six goals, aiding Chelsea in securing a second consecutive Premier League championship, marking the club's first back-to-back titles in its history.

In March 2007, Robben underwent knee surgery after sustaining an injury upon returning from international duty, expecting to be sidelined for at least four weeks. Despite his recovery, he only made two more appearances for Chelsea, both as a substitute, in crucial games for the club. His first appearance was in the Champions League semi-final second leg against Liverpool, which went to penalties. Unfortunately, Robben had his penalty saved by Pepe Reina, and Chelsea ultimately lost the match.