Dutch winger Arjen Robben has ended his professional football career with immediate effect.
The Bayern Munich legend announced he is ending his playing career at the age of 35 after a 10-year spell with German giants.
“It is without a doubt the most difficult decision I have had to make in my career, my heart says yes, my body says no,” Robben told in a statement released to German media.
“It is a decision in which heart and mind collide. The reality is that things don’t work the way they did when you were 16,” Robben said.
Despite sustaining several injuries in his lengthy stint, Robben was a key in the building of Bayern’s golden generation. The player had also featured in Chelsea’s golden team under Jose Mourinho as well as in a short stint with Spanish giants Real Madrid. He started his illustrious career with home sides FC Groningen and PSV Eindhoven.
THANK YOU • DANKE • MERCI • DANKJEWEL @ArjenRobben!
Best @FCBayern counterpart I could imagine, #Robbery will never be forgotten! What a career my friend, now enjoy your time off the pitch ??❤️ #MiaSanMia #10years #RobberyForever #FR7 #AR10 pic.twitter.com/G6vIWGrKeb— Franck Ribéry (@FranckRibery) July 4, 2019
Featuring in 201 Bundesliga games for Bayern, Robben has scored 99 goals and set up a further 62.
The 2010 World Cup runner up appeared in a total of 110 Champions League matches for Eindhoven, Real Madrid, Chelsea and Bayern.
He scored the winner when Bayern won the 2013 all-German Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund 2-1.
Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened. ✂️
Danke, @ArjenRobben. pic.twitter.com/9zcB2Xaglx
— ?? FC Bayern US ?? (@FCBayernUS) July 4, 2019
During his career, Robben won eight German Bundesliga titles, five German cups, two Premier League trophies, one FA Cup, one La Liga title, two Dutch cups and one Eredivisie title on top of the Champions League and Club World Cup in 2013.
Robben played 96 international matches for the Netherlands, scoring 37 goals, starring in the team which reached the 2010 World Cup final and finished third four years later.
He has represented the Oranjes in three World Cups and three European championships. He retired from international football after the Netherlands failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.