Arjen Robben plays the first Eredivisie game in over 16 YEARS while making his debut for Gronigen after his retirement … but limps after only 30 minutes with an injury
- Arjen Robben played his first Eredivisie match in over 16 years against PSV
- The Dutchman played the first game since he came out of retirement to sign for Gronigen
- Winger broke Robin Van Persie’s record for greatest absence between matches
- The 36-year-old’s reunion was short lived after 30 minutes of limping
Arjen Robben played his first Eredivisie match in over 16 years after playing for Gronigen in the league match against PSV.
The flying winger was named captain when he started in his trusted position in right midfield for their season opener – but his comeback was short-lived as he was sent off with an injury after 30 minutes.
The 36-year-old sensationally came out of retirement this summer to make a sentimental return to the club where he started his career after previously hanging his shoes when he left Bayern Munich in 2019.
Arjen Robben played his first league game for Gronigen since his retirement
The winger broke Robin Van Persie’s record by playing his first Eredivisie game in over 16 years
After being named a feature film from the start, Robben broke a record set by former Dutch teammate Robin Van Persie for the longest absence between two Eredivisie games – he played 16 years and 155 days since his last appearance for PSV in 2004.
However, it was a short-lived reunion for the former Real Madrid and Chelsea winger, after retiring from the game for just half an hour in the first half with an apparent muscle problem. He limped away and was replaced by Tomas Suslov.
His former side went 1-0 just five minutes later when Cody Gakpo opened the scoring for PSV, before Robben’s replacement Suslov leveled things up, only before Donyell Malen put the visitors back in front.
Robben sensationally reversed his decision to hang up his boots to sign for the boys’ club
The 36-year-old’s reunion was short-lived after being removed just 30 minutes after returning
The former Netherlands international scored his first goal since the U-turn in his career in a pre-season practice game, driving home in typical style with his left foot against Arminia Bielefeld.
Robben is considered one of the greatest wingers of his generation, with his dribbling skills and ability to cut and shoot inward, becoming a signature move associated with the Dutchman.
His most successful period came when he played for Bayern, where he won eight Bundesliga titles, five DFB Pokal’s and scored the winner in the 2012-13 Bavarian Champions League triumph over a 10-year period with the club.
Robben made his first goal for Groningen in a practice match last week
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