Ruud Van Nistelrooy has announced his immediate retirement from International football.
The 64 times capped Holland International has made the decision in order to prolong his club career.
Very Alan Shearer of him!
However, what makes this story interesting for me is that the Real Madrid striker is currently leveled with Johan Cruyff on 33 international goals.
Wouldn't you fancy beating that?!?
We all know that Ruud is quite the intellectual and has made an informed decision about his own career. And, of course, it was a personal decision.
It's just one I don't get.
The 32-year-old played his last game for Holland in their Euro 2008 defeat to surprise package Russia.
The Dutch will miss the goal machine in their upcoming World Cup qualifying campaign against the likes of Scotland, Norway, and Macedonia.
A few goals there I would have thought?
As a Scot, though, I'll shut up here. I'd obviously rather he stayed on 33 goals than get the 34th at Hampden!
13 comments Last one added 11 months ago — Leave a Comment
Salaar Arshad Shamsi 11 months ago
Haha..Good for Scotland..
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Andrew McNair 11 months ago
Very good indeed :D
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Keith Griffin 11 months ago
Such a pity to see such a fine player retire from internationals. I want the opportuinity to watch him whenever I can and now thats one less now he wont be in the orange shirt anymore.
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Andrew McNair 11 months ago
I was half way through when i remembered Scotland were in the Dutch group. I'm not as upset now :P
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David Owen 11 months ago
I must agree with you Ands.
I still think Ruud has a few goals in the tank. Would have been nice to see him break Cruyff's record, but at least he is leaving on his own terms. You'll understand more about that having lived in SA than most.
Keep up the good work, always fun to read your posts.
ps. More about liverpool would be appreciated, mainly your views on Keane, Keane&Torres together and our new signings (dossena, ngog etc)
Dave
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Andrew McNair 11 months ago
Thanks Dave. Nice to be appreciated and I'm glad you enjoy my posts.
Liverpool are definately in my sights mate.
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Dakota Rubin 11 months ago
Great to see him focusing his energy towards Madrid. Thats what I like to see.
The Scots don't get off too easy, they still have to face RVP and Huntelaar. Two men who know a thing or two about goals. But they are not Ruud.
He will be missed on the international stage.
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Andrew McNair 11 months ago
Yeah they have plenty of fire power left. Not as 'jammy' as RvN though.
I hope :P
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Ismail Ayub 11 months ago
maybe now huntelaar or RVP can lead the line for the dutch...
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Andrew McNair 11 months ago
I would expect so. After Rangers performance tonight I'm not looking forward to meeting them in the world cup qualifiers.
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Neil Melms 11 months ago
As a Madrid fan, this is really a great news to me. Real Madrid can't afford to lose him to injury this year. I have enjoyed watching Ruud play for his country all these years though and one recent memory that I wont forget about him is the pass he made to Robben against France in Euro 08.
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Tom Dessalet 11 months ago
They won't be hurting as much if van Persie steps up. Good to hear though that he'll be at full power with Madrid, since later in his career he'll need as much down-time as possible to keep in tiptop shape!
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Thomas 11 months ago
I didnt think you'd be happy about the Scots. Ruud was getting distracted playing for the Dutch.
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