Arjen Robben has officially bid farewell to international football after announcing his retirement from the Dutch national team following their 2-0 victory over Sweden, tonight.
The Bayern Munich man signed off with a double, including a stunning 20 yard effort, although his two goals weren't enough to save the Netherlands from missing out on a second consecutive major tournament, with Robben and co finishing third in their qualification group, behind France and Sweden.
Arjen Robben's last goal for Holland :scream:#NEDSWE #WCQ2018 pic.twitter.com/Dwqez2GT24
- Calcio 68. (@Calcio68) October 11, 2017
Arjen Robben tells NOS this was the last time he has played for the Dutch national team. 96 games, 37 goals.
- Michiel Jongsma (@JongsmaJongsma) October 10, 2017
96 internationals
37 goals
Arjen Robben says goodbye to the Dutch national team. #BEDANKTARJENROBBEN pic.twitter.com/KlzCxIQTPw
- Football-Oranje.com (@FootballOranje_) October 10, 2017
Arjen Robben has played his final int'l game: 37 goals, 96 matches. He will forever be remembered as one of Oranje's greatest ever players pic.twitter.com/6bjP5gJoe0
- Mohamed Moallim (@iammoallim) October 10, 2017
112 - Arjen Robben scored or assisted a goal once every 112 minutes for the Netherlands (37 goals, 29 assists). Farewell. pic.twitter.com/macLLT3ROE
- OptaJohan (@OptaJohan) October 10, 2017
Robben was one of the inspirations behind the Netherlands' run to the 2010 World Cup final, although his missed one-on-one opportunity when the Dutch were level at 0-0 with Spain will live painfully long in the memory for the former Chelsea and Real Madrid man.
Four years later, Robben was again in fine form as he helped Louis Van Gaal's team to an unlikely third place finish at the 2014 World Cup, in Brazil. Sergio Ramos still wakes up in a cold sweat thinking about Robben sprinting past him during the Netherlands' 5-1 mauling of Spain in their opening group game.
Farewell to a legend. The international game has lost one of the greats of the modern era.
