Arjen Robben comes out of retirement to re-sign for Groningen
Former Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Chelsea winger Arjen Robben has come out of retirement to sign for Eredivisie side Groningen.
The 36-year-old had called time on his illustrious career after helping Bayern Munich win a Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal double in 2018-19.
![Arjen Robben standing in front of a crowd: Arjen Robben during an exhibition match in October 2019](http://www.msn.com/{"default":{"load":"default","w":"80","h":"45","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB162DT4.img?h=450&w=799&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f&x=897&y=303"},"size3column":{"load":"default","w":"62","h":"35","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB162DT4.img?h=351&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f&x=897&y=303"},"size2column":{"load":"default","w":"62","h":"35","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB162DT4.img?h=351&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f&x=897&y=303"}})
© Bongarts
Arjen Robben during an exhibition match in October 2019
However, a change of heart has led the former Netherlands international to making a sentimental return to the club where he started his career.
🌍 BREAKING:
ARJEN ROBBEN = BACK 🔙#Robbenreturns pic.twitter.com/fpoNJEg6Tg
— FC Groningen English (@FCGroningen_EN) June 27, 2020
Robben, who had been spotted training with Bayern recently, explained he wants to play his part in helping Groningen recover following the coronavirus pandemic.
“The club can use any help during this period to get through the corona crisis,” he told their website.
Related Slideshow: 50 of the most iconic soccer players of all time (Provided by Photo Services)
Gallery
Lionel Messi (Argentina)
Major club: Barcelona
Years active: 2000-
Appearances: 674 (club), 128 (national)
Goals scored: 591 (club), 65 (national)
Diego Maradona (Argentina)
Major clubs: Boca Juniors, Barcelona, Napoli
Years active: 1976-97
Appearances: 327 (club), 90 (national)
Goals scored: 150 (club), 34 (national)
Zinédine Zidane (France)
Major clubs: Juventus, Real Madrid
Years active: 1990-2006
Appearances: 578 (club), 108 (national)
Goals scored: 113 (club), 31 (national)
Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)
Major clubs: Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus
Years active: 1997-
Appearances: 794 (club), 154 (national)
Goals scored: 595 (club), 85 (national)
David Beckham (England)
Major clubs: Manchester United, Real Madrid, LA Galaxy, AC Milan, PSG
Years active: 1991-2013
Appearances: 714 (club), 115 (national)
Goals scored: 127 (club), 17 (national)
Iker Casillas (Spain)
Major clubs: Real Madrid, Porto
Years active: 1998-
Appearances: 874 (club), 167 (national)
Steven Gerrard (England)
Major clubs: Liverpool, LA Galaxy
Years active: 1996-2016
Appearances: 749 (club), 114 (national)
Goals scored: 191 (club), 21 (national)
Raúl (Spain)
Years active: 1992-2015
Appearances: 916 (club), 103 (national)
Goals scored: 385 (club), 44 (national)
Luis Suárez (Uruguay)
Major clubs: Ajax, Liverpool, Barcelona
Years active: 2005-
Appearances: 566 (club), 106 (national)
Goals scored: 381 (club), 55 (national)
Gianluigi Buffon (Italy)
Major clubs: Parma, Juventus, PSG
Years active: 1994-
Appearances: 896 (club), 176 (national)
Dennis Bergkamp (Netherlands)
Major clubs: Ajax, Inter Milan, Arsenal
Years active: 1986-2006
Appearances: 702 (club), 79 (national)
Goals scored: 247 (club), 37 (national)
Thierry Henry (France)
Major clubs: Arsenal, Barcelona, New York Red Bulls
Years active: 1994-2014
Appearances: 790 (club), 124 (national)
Goals scored: 360 (club), 51 (national)
Gareth Bale (Wales)
Major clubs: Southampton, Tottenham, Real Madrid
Years active: 2006-
Appearances: 471 (club), 74 (national)
Goals scored: 163 (club), 31 (national)
Ronaldo (Brazil)
Major clubs: Barcelona, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, AC Milan
Years active: 1993-2011
Appearances: 438 (club), 98 (national)
Goals scored: 291 (club), 62 (national)
Cesc Fàbregas (Spain)
Major clubs: Arsenal, Barcelona, Chelsea
Years active: 2002-
Appearances: 664 (club), 110 (national)
Goals scored: 122 (club), 15 (national)
Andrés Iniesta (Spain)
Major club: Barcelona
Years active: 1996-
Appearances: 694 (club), 136 (national)
Goals scored: 60 (club), 13 (national)
Ronaldinho (Brazil)
Major clubs: PSG, Barcelona, AC Milan
Years active: 1998-2018
Appearances: 529 (club), 97 (national)
Goals scored: 196 (club), 33 (national)
Lev Yashin (Soviet Union)
Major club: Dynamo Moscow
Years active: 1949-71
Appearances: 326 (club), 78 (national)
George Best (Northern Ireland)
Major club: Manchester United
Years active: 1963-85
Appearances: 580 (club), 38 (national)
Goals scored: 204 (club), 9 (national)
Wayne Rooney (England)
Major clubs: Everton, Manchester United
Years active: 2001-
Appearances: 695 (club), 120 (national)
Goals scored: 294 (club), 53 (national)
Marco van Basten (Netherlands)
Major clubs: Ajax, AC Milan
Years active: 1981-95
Appearances: 356 (club), 58 (national)
Goals scored: 267 (club), 24 (national)
Johan Cruyff (Netherlands)
Major clubs: Ajax, Barcelona, Feyenoord
Years active: 1964-84
Appearances: 514 (club), 48 (national)
Goals scored: 290 (club), 33 (national)
Mohamed Salah (Egypt)
Major clubs: Chelsea, Roma, Liverpool
Years active: 2010-
Appearances: 344 (club), 62 (national)
Goals scored: 141 (club), 39 (national)
Paolo Maldini (Italy)
Major club: AC Milan
Years active: 1985-2009
Appearances: 901 (club), 126 (national)
Goals scored: 33 (club), 7 (national)
Ruud van Nistelrooy (Netherlands)
Major clubs: PSV, Manchester United, Real Madrid
Years active: 1994-2012
Appearances: 514 (club), 70 (national)
Goals scored: 324 (club), 35 (national)
Neymar (Brazil)
Clubs: Santos, Barcelona, PSG
Years active: 2009-
Appearances: 373 (club), 96 (national)
Goals scored: 223 (club), 60 (national)
Alfredo Di Stéfano (Argentina, Spain)
Major clubs: River Plate, Real Madrid
Years active: 1945-66
Appearances: 521 (club), 37 (national)
Goals scored: 376 (club), 29 (national)
Zico (Brazil)
Major clubs: Flamengo, Udinese, Kashima Antlers
Years active: 1971-94
Appearances: 334 (club), 72 (national)
Goals scored: 192 (club), 52 (national)
Lothar Matthäus (Germany)
Major clubs: Bayern Munich, Inter Milan
Years active: 1975-2001
Appearances: 757 (club), 150 (national)
Goals scored: 201 (club), 23 (national)
Roberto Carlos (Brazil)
Major clubs: Atlético Mineiro, Palmeiras, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, Anzhi
Years active: 1992-2015
Appearances: 740 (club), 125 (national)
Goals scored: 91 (club), 11 (national)
George Weah (Liberia)
Major clubs: Monaco, PSG, Milan
Years active: 1987-2003
Appearances: 434 (club), 61 (national)
Goals scored: 174 (club), 22 (national)
Kaká (Brazil)
Major clubs: São Paulo, AC Milan, Real Madrid
Years active: 2001-17
Appearances: 529 (club), 92 (national)
Goals scored: 161 (club), 29 (national)
Gary Lineker (England)
Major clubs: Leicester City, Everton, Barcelona, Tottenham
Years active: 1976-94
Appearances: 225 (club), 80 (national)
Goals scored: 114 (club), 48 (national)
Fabien Barthez (France)
Major clubs: Marseille, Monaco, Manchester United
Years active: 1991-2007
Appearances: 575 (club), 87 (national)
Michel Platini (France)
Major clubs: Nancy, Saint-Étienne, Juventus
Years active: 1972-87
Appearances: 237 (club), 72 (national)
Goals scored: 114 (club), 41 (national)
Cafu (Brazil)
Major clubs: São Paulo, Palmeiras, Roma, Milan
Years active: 1988-2009
Appearances: 395 (club), 142 (national)
Goals scored: 12 (club), 5 (national)
Roger Milla (Cameroon)
Major clubs: Monaco, Saint-Étienne, Montpellier
Years active: 1970-96
Appearances: 666 (club), 102 (national)
Goals scored: 405 (club), 28 (national)
Ferenc Puskás (Hungary)
Major club: Real Madrid
Years active: 1942-66
Appearances: 530 (club), 85 (national)
Goals scored: 514 (club), 84 (national)
Zlatan Ibrahimović (Sweden)
Major clubs: Ajax, Juventus, Inter Milan, Barcelona, AC Milan, PSG, Manchester United
Years active: 1991-
Appearances: 711 (club), 116 (national)
Goals scored: 426 (club), 62 (national)
Gerd Müller (Germany)
Major clubs: Bayern Munich
Years active: 1963-82
Appearances: 565 (club), 62 (national)
Goals scored: 508 (club), 68 (national)
Franz Beckenbauer (Germany)
Major clubs: Bayern Munich, Hamburger SV, New York Cosmos
Years active: 1964-83
Appearances: 567 (club), 103 (national)
Goals scored: 57 (club), 14 (national)
René Higuita (Colombia)
Major clubs: Millonarios, Atlético Nacional, Independiente Medellín
Years active: 1985-2009
Appearances: 380 (club), 68 (national)
Goals scored: 41 (club), 3 (national)
Bobby Moore (England)
Major club: West Ham
Years active: 1958-83
Appearances: 716 (club), 108 (national)
Goals scored: 26 (club), 2 (national)
Oliver Kahn (Germany)
Major club: Bayern Munich
Years active: 1987-2008
Appearances: 781 (club), 86 (national)
David Seaman (England)
Major clubs: Leeds United, Rangers, Arsenal, Manchester City
Years active: 1981-2004
Appearances: 479 (club), 77 (national)
Manuel Neuer (Germany)
Major club: Bayern Munich
Years active: 2001-
Appearances: 592 (club), 84 (national)
Garrincha (Brazil)
Major clubs: Botafogo, Corinthians, Flamengo
Years active: 1953-74
Appearances: 254 (club), 50 (national)
Goals scored: 84 (club), 12 (national)
Andriy Shevchenko (Ukraine)
Major clubs: Dynamo Kyiv, AC Milan, Chelsea
Years active: 1994-2012
Appearances: 510 (club), 111 (national)
Goals scored: 246 (club), 48 (national)
Eusébio (Portugal)
Major club: Benfica
Years active: 1957-79
Appearances: 431 (club), 64 (national)
Goals scored: 423 (club), 41 (national)
50/50 SLIDES
“I myself have also participated in various actions and also thought about what else I could do for our FC.
36 – @ArjenRobben is the second youngest player to ever score an Eredivisie goal for @fcgroningen (17y 47d) and could become only the third ever 36 year old to score a goal for the club in the Eredivisie, after Piet Fransen and Erwin Koeman. Iconic. https://t.co/tUfD7zRPVs
— OptaJohan (@OptaJohan) June 27, 2020
“In recent weeks I have had many consultations with people within the club and perhaps the most listened to the action of the supporters, ‘Arjen, follow your heart’.
“A return as a player of FC Groningen – it started to itch and now it’s my mission. I’m working on a comeback as a footballer.
“I don’t know yet whether this will work. What I do know is that it will not depend on my commitment and motivation.”
