Dutch national team captain Arjen Robben has confirmed his retirement to the NOS after Netherlands 2-0 win at home to Sweden in Amsterdam.

  • By James Rowe
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Arjen Robben scored both goals for Netherlands on the night but it wasn’t enough to keep their hopes of reaching the World Cup alive.

After 37 goals in 96 appearances for Oranje, the 33-year-old has now decided to call it a day as he wants to concentrate on his club career.

Robben said, ”I enjoyed tonight. It was special but difficult because we are still playing for something although it is unlikely we would achieve our objective tonight.

”It’s tough because you know that everything you do tonight is for the last time but I had to focus on the game because I wanted to show what I can do one last time and I did it.

”I also have to compliment my teammates on who we played tonight and we were so professional. The reality is hard because we miss a major tournament.

”I have thought long and hard about my decision to retire from international football I am 33 years old. I weighed up retiring from international football beforehand but I decided to continue and I do not regret that. I wanted to finish the World Cup qualifying campaign. I do not know how my career will play out from here on in.

”I play for a top club in Europe in Bayern Munich and I want to keep that going for as long as possible so you have to make choices. This is a good moment to pass the baton on to teammates.

”Things must now change we must not look at how we can improve the structure here in the Netherlands and that is a big task.

”I have a lot of highlights and I feel proud and honoured to have represented Oranje for 14 years and I am also proud to have played in 6 major tournaments. My highlights were the two World Cups in 2010 and 2014. We had a really strong team with a close group and I really enjoyed.

“The last 14 years have been fantastic.”




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James Rowe (696 Posts)