Bayern Munich star and Netherlands captain Arjen Robben has called time on his international career as his country failed to reach the 2018 World Cup finals despite a 2-0 win over Sweden both goals were scored Robben .Netherlands needed 7-0 win over Sweden to make the play-offs after a desperately disappointing qualifying campaign.
“I want to focus on my club [career] now,” confirmed Robben post-game. “It’s a good time to pass the torch to the next generation.Robben, who has had plenty of injury problems over the years, was quoted by vi.nl as saying: “The man of glass has lasted the longest.”
He added: “I’ve been thinking about it (international retirement) for a long time.I have already considered it for a while, but then I went on. I wanted to finish this qualification.
The 33-year-old represented his country at six major international tournaments and is among their all-time top scorers with his two-goal haul taking him into a tie for fourth with Dennis Bergkamp.His haul of 96 caps also makes him their ninth most regular international, though that impressive figure remains one clipped by numerous injuries.
Robben scored 37 times in 96 appearances for the Netherlands and helped them reach the 2010 World Cup final where they lost 1-0 to Spain after extra-time. The Dutch also progressed to the last four at the 2014 finals before losing to Argentina on penalties. “Fourteen years, it’s beautiful, magnificent even,” said Robben, who made his international debut against Portugal in April 2003.