An Argument for Why Arjen Robben Can Win the Ballon D'Or

Very few things are certain in football, but it’s possible to make a couple of general statements. One of these statements may pertain to the sport’s fast and technically-gifted wingers: Never do they become faster with age, and never do they hit their peak past the age of 28.

Arjen Robben, however, forms an exception. 

This summer, during the World Cup in Brazil, the Bayern Munich man played better than ever before. Scoring three goals, delivering one assist and even becoming the fastest footballer ever recorded, he was one of the best players of the tournament.

Against Spain, during the Netherlands’ opening fixture, Robben played a huge part in the dismantling of the tiki-taka machine the world used to fear. Only four years before, during the World Cup in 2010’s final, Robben had been unable to damage the Spaniards, bottling the chance to decide the match by beating Iker Casillas in a one-on-one. This year, he was their master in every way.

Later in the tournament, Robben remained the Netherlands' star man. Against Australia and Chile, Robben was again decisive. Against Argentina, in the semi-final, he was deemed so dangerous that Oranje’s opposition spent the lion's share of their energy trying to stop him—just as the Dutch did everything they could to nullify Lionel Messi’s presence.

Of course, as a debate ensued about a supposed dive after the Netherlands’ match against Mexico, Robben’s World Cup reputation was somewhat tarnished. But while anyone is allowed to make up his own mind about Robben’s sportsmanship during that one particular match, the Dutchman’s amazing on-the-pitch performance should not be obscured.

When Real Madrid sold Robben to Bayern Munich, back in 2009, it was generally expected that Robben would never truly become one of the world’s best footballers. Good player as he was, he simply wasn’t a Galactico. 

And while that particular term still doesn’t fit him, it is now clear that the Dutch winger had plenty more to show. At Bayern Munich, under different managers, he has become more and more decisive every year. Even when Pep Guardiola came in, radically transforming the German club tactically, Robben kept growing.

Digging in the archives, you can probably find a few more examples. But generally, wingers don’t peak when they’re 30. Robben, however, has done exactly that. With the Bayern Munich man expected to play for the Netherlands during Euro 2016, who knows what else he has in store for us?

Having defied expectations, Arjen Robben deserves to be considered for the Ballon d’Or.