The Eredivisie is enriched with a sporty sensation. A year after his career ended, Arjen Robben returned from football retirement and joined his youth club. And hardly anyone has any doubts that the 36-year-old will play big again.
The number 10 jersey is as tight as in the best of Bavaria. “It feels good to be back home,” says Arjen Robben. At home, that’s for Robben the Dutch Groningen and FC, where he made his professional debut at the age of 16. Now, “after a wonderful, 18-year adventure trip”, the world star for Groningen is returning from football.
“It is my dream to play in the FC Groningen jersey,” says Robben in a video of the club that was clicked hundreds of thousands of times online within an hour: “It is not yet so far. But you can still dream ! ” The fans of the 2015 Dutch Cup winner have had a resignation from Bayern last summer under the motto “Arjen volg je hart!” wooed for her son lost in 2002. Now Robben is really following his heart.
“It started to tingle again, that’s my mission now,” says the 36-year-old, whose return is causing euphoria. “I had goose bumps and tears in my eyes,” said John de Jonge, chairman of the official fan association. Club director Mark-Jan Fledderus said: “It’s unimaginable!” The ninth of the canceled season will experience an “enormous boost” due to the surprising comeback.
Only the “Algemeen Dagblad” doubts
Robben was also encouraged by old companions. “Welcome back to the pitch!” Tweeted Thomas Müller, Rafael van der Vaart said: “He is still in top shape and can easily keep up.” Only the “Algemeen Dagblad” quietly reported doubts: “The heart triumphs over the mind”. Robben, who shot Bayern to the Champions League victory in Wembley in 2013, has kept fit on Säbener Strasse in Munich in recent months.
Already in winter he flirted with a return to the German record champions, where he wanted to take over for the injured Kingsley Coman. Nothing came of it, Robben distracted himself on vacation – and thought of the old homeland. The move was initially decided in the family council with his wife Bernadien, followed in the past few weeks by the decisive talks with Groningen.
“It’s going to be a big physical challenge, but I’m accepting it,” says Robben. The season in the Eredivisie should start on September 12th. He couldn’t promise that it would really work, “but my drive and motivation will be at 100 percent.” Anyone who saw him training at the Säbener believed that at his word. There the Vice World Champion from 2010 (96 international matches / 37 goals) also showed his typical seal move: body deception, left turn, shot – goal. But still without an opponent.
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