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November 11, 2017

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Despite advanced age, Bayern’s Robben keen on a new contract

By Oliver Trust | 00:05 UTC+8 November 11, 2017 | Print Edition

GERMAN champion Bayern Munich’s star player Arjen Robben is already celebrating. The Dutchman, who will turn 34 in January next year, is still desperate about winning titles.

After scoring against Borussia Dortmund last week, Robben became the most successful foreign player in the history of the 2013 Champions League champion.

Robben scored his 93rd league goal passing Brazilian striker Giovane Elber who had 92.

The forward is also the most successful player in the German Bundesliga when it comes to achieving big tasks.

The former Dutch international could soon be rewarded with a new contract. Many pundits and fans are convinced that Robben is at his best currently.

For professional sportsmen, 34 is an age that does not give them much scope to dream.

“You are aware that time is running out,” said Robben.

“I know time will come for Franck and me, sooner or later,” Robben told German media while talking about his future and that of his teammate Franck Ribery.

It might as well be his last season, but Robben’s father and manager Hans has said that he plans to talk with Bayern as early as next spring to negotiate a new contract.

Age does not count when it comes to success in football, the 2010 World Cup runner-up is convinced. “You are either still in good shape, or you are not,” Robben said.

His coach Jupp Heynckes is a shining example as the 1974 world champion will turn 73 next May.

Robben has made no secret of wanting to end his career with another title.

“He is the first in the morning and the last one in the evening to leave,” Heynckes said.

“He is still full of energy and ambition to drive his team to success,” Heynckes stressed.

Robben admitted that it is the prospect of winning another title that makes him want to carry on. Ambition is nothing new in the life of a footballer. But they don’t always work out.

Robben had to go through tough times after he joined Bayern in 2009 from Spanish football giant Real Madrid.

The extremely fast and specially gifted footballer in the past was often accused of being narcissistic.

Teammates and fans invented an unflattering nickname as Robben was called “Alleinikov” which includes the German word alleine (alone) indicating Robben does not care much about team spirit but is only focused on his performance.

“There is some strong force inside of him that makes him want to get better and better. You could see that at the age of 8 or 9,” Hans Robben said.

Robben stands for a footballer caring about his team’s benefit and his teammate’s performance. Team spirit has developed into a vital part of his game.

Robben of 2017 is of particular value for the Bavarian side as coach Heynckes is counting on a high game over the flanks.

Despite his age, Robben delivers extreme speed and a level of quality that could lead Bayern to a successful 2017/2018 season.

More than ever Robben seems to enjoy the great moments of team sports football. When Bayern’s team gathered on the pitch for its Champions League group match against the Scottish side Celtic Glasgow, fans spotted a smiling Robben waiting for kick-off.

He admitted he was full of joy looking forward to the game in a unique atmosphere especially with the fans singing. It was a moment that “touched my heart.”

After Robben and the Dutch national team missed qualification for the 2018 World Cup, the striker called it quits. He scored both the goals as the Netherlands beat Sweden 2-0.

He played for the national team for 14 years and has 96 caps and has scored 37 goals.

Fans saw tears running down his face when the Dutch national anthem was played “as I knew that moment it would be the last time I was playing for my country.”

Robben announced that he would concentrate on his club career as “I have the opportunity to be part of one of the best clubs in the world.”

Robben might be what you call “an old man” in football, but national and international rivals are aware they have to face a striker still burning for football and success.

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