Van Nistelrooy announces retirement
Malaga striker Ruud van Nistelrooy has announced his retirement from football at the age of 35. The former Holland international has suffered a difficult year since arriving in the south of Spain from Hamburg last summer, scoring just five times in 32 appearances.
However, he did help guide Malaga to their first ever top-four finish and thereby ensure Champions League football for the first time in their history. Van Nistelrooy told a press conference today:
"Yesterday was my final game as a professional footballer. I wanted to play in the Champions League, but it is the moment to leave."I have arrived at my physical limit and I can't play at the maximum level. I couldn't have had a better send-off than this.
"I feel happy that I am the one taking this decision. I would like to thank Malaga, the technical and medical staff for an unforgettable year."I am proud to have won collective and individual titles, but my greatest satisfaction was to be able to work day after day, year after year."
Van Nistelrooy also paid tribute to those people who supported him during his career, which included spells with PSV Eindhoven, Manchester United and Real Madrid.
"I would like to thank Malaga, my team-mates, the coaches, the physios, (sporting director) Antonio Fernandez, Fernando Hierro and the fans for this unforgettable year," said the Dutchman."I would also like to thank the fans of Den Bosch, Heerenveen, PSV, Manchester United, Real Madrid and Hamburg."
Van Nistelrooy also bagged 35 goals in 70 international appearances for Holland, including strikes at Euro 2004, World Cup 2006 and Euro 2008 and is the second highest all-time goalscorer in the Champions League with 54 from 81 appearances.
His final appearance for Malaga resulted in a 1-0 victory over Sporting Gijon.
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