Arjen Robben decided to retire as a professional soccer player. The Dutchman hung shoes at the age of 35 years.
Robben left Bayern Munich this summer. Had predicted to continue playing at other clubs, the agile winger apparently chose to end his career as a player.
"I decided to end my career as a professional football player. There is no question, this is the hardest decision in my career ... a decision from the heart and mind that is the opposite," said Robben, as quoted by the Daily Mail.
Robben has a career in football for two decades. From starting to study at VV Bedum, his hometown local club in 1989, left-handed players then traveled to various European giant clubs.
From VV Bedum, Robben was recruited by Groningen in 1996 and contracted professionally since 2000. Two years later, Robben moved to PSV Eindhoven, then moved again to Chelsea in 2004. Three years in England, Robben then traveled to Spain and played for Real Madrid since 2007 .
Two seasons in Spain, Robben then moved to Bayern Munich in 2009. Together with the German giants, Robben spent the rest of his career and eventually retired 10 years ago.
At the club level, Robben has won 30 trophies by winning in the Dutch League, England, Spain and Germany. He also won the Champions League with Bayern Munich in 2013.
Robben is also a mainstay in the Dutch national team. He has a record of 96 caps and 37 goals. His achievement was to help the Orange Team become the 2010 World Cup runner-up and win third place in the 2014 World Cup.