Arjen Robben ...

Arjen Robben

NETHERLANDS

FORWARD

78 International Caps
26 International Goals
30 years old
180 cm
FIRST INTERNATIONAL
Netherlands - Portugal 30 Apr 2003
DATE OF BIRTH
23 Jan 1984
CURRENT CLUB
FC Bayern Muenchen (GER)
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Brazil 2014 will be Arjen Robben’s sixth major tournament for the Netherlands and, at 30, he remains one of the team’s key players. Speed, dribbling ability and a deadly left foot have established the Bayern Munich winger as one of the most exciting talents of his generation, and Louis van Gaal – like so many of his predecessors – puts a high value on his importance.

Robben’s favoured method of attack, drifting in from the right wing to shoot on his favoured side, is so well known as to seem almost predictable. But stopping him continues to prove consistently difficult. It is not for nothing that three of Europe’s most successful clubs - Chelsea, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich - have paid a combined €75 million to acquire his services, with Robben proving a success in every league in which he has played.

He first came to the world’s attention while with PSV Eindhoven, and it was during his time with the Dutch giants that he gained his first taste of international football. The winger was just 20 when he was named in Dick Advocaat’s squad for UEFA EURO 2004, and even then showed the ability and character that would keep him in the Dutch line-up for years to come.

South Africa 2010 was arguably his best tournament to date, with Robben’s dynamic performances for the finalists reflected by his place among the nominees for the adidas Golden Ball. Cruelly, though, his contribution to that FIFA World Cup is often best remembered for a crucial miss in the deciding match against Spain, and he was lampooned in 2012 after failing to convert a potentially match-winning penalty for Bayern Munich in the Champions League final against Chelsea.

Robben, though, is made of stern stuff and he secured redemption last year with the winning goal as Bayern made up for that 2012 disappointment with victory over Borussia Dortmund in the same fixture. The Dutch will now hope that this outstanding player can help write a better ending to their 2014 story than the fairy tale-turned-tragedy of South Africa.