[Football] Van Nistelrooy quits Dutch set-up

[Rappy Veteran]

Real Madrid's Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy has announced his retirement from international football.

"After studying the schedule of Madrid and the Dutch team I realised playing for both would mean too tough a load for me," said the 32-year-old.

Van Nistelrooy won the first of his 64 caps in 1998 and is the team's third highest all-time scorer with 33 goals.

He missed Euro 2000 through injury but played and scored at Euro 2004 and 2008 and also the 2006 World Cup.

His decision came as a surprise to new national team coach Bert van Marwijk, who succeeded Marco van Basten as national team coach on 1 July.

"I had a comprehensive conversation with Ruud and I can do nothing else but respect his decision," said van Marwijk.

"I regret it that I can't use his quality and experience when I compose my squad but I wish him all the best at Real Madrid."

Van Nistelrooy made his name at PSV Eindhoven, where he suffered a serious knee injury, before moving to Manchester United for a then- British record fee of ?19m in 2001.

He had five successful years at Old Trafford before moving to Madrid in July 2006 for ?10.2m.

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[noisia]

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we got hunterlaar now, he needs some experience and than he'll be ok. Tho he's nothing compared to Ruud.

[L3thal Veteran]

All these great players are starting to retire from international football. I guess its time for the new generation of players to emerge.

[Matrix XII]

That's sad, he's a great player!

(and has a great name too) :)