Robben canceled the decision to hang shoes and officially became part of the Groningen squad.
Arjen Robben refused to close the possibility of returning to play with the Dutch national team after deciding to return from retirement as a player.
Robben has agreed to a one-year contract at Groningen, the Eredivisie club that gave rise to his talent in 2000, after hanging up his shoes last year.
And, the left-handed winger, who has played in three World Cups and three Euros, said he did not want to think far ahead when holding a press conference on Sunday (28/6), related to his announcement of postponing retirement.
“Let’s start from the beginning first. The goal is clear: practice with the team, then undergo one match and after that more games in a row. But I am reluctant to think far ahead. The euro is not a topic at the moment,” Robben said, about the potential play at Euro 2020, which is postponed until the summer of next year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Robben, 36, enjoyed a full period of success at Bayern Munich from 2009 to 2019, won eight Bundesliga titles and also scored the winning goal in the 2013 Champions League final over Borussia Dortmund.
After retiring in 2019, Robben said that his decision to return to play had been in his mind since last May and had maintained his fitness.
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The former PSV, Chelsea and Real Madrid stars initially said they did not miss football, but he added: “I want to explain: there has been no comeback, only an effort for it. It could be without matches or many matches.”
“I’ve been practicing for five or six weeks now. Being fitter. I’m on the right track to be fit to get used to playing again. And I have to be fit before I can play, but I feel happy about it.”
“It could develop into something very good here.”
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