Van Nistelrooy Calls It a Dutch Day

The Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy has announced his retirement from international football in order to concentrate on his club career with Real Madrid. He has done this before, in January 2007 when Marco van Basten left him out of the squad after a disappointing World Cup campaign. This time it looks terminal.

At 32 Van Nistelrooy feels he can no longer cope with club and country and has chosen to focus all his energies on Real, whom he joined two years ago from Manchester United and has led to two La Liga titles. "After I looked at the programs of Real Madrid and Oranje, I came to the conclusion it is too heavy a burden because of the necessary physical effort," he said. "I have no other choice."

Van Nistelrooy struck 33 goals in 64 appearances over the past decade for Holland. After bridges were built with Van Basten he returned and scored twice at Euro 2008 as the Dutch reached the quarter-finals before losing to Russia. "Of course, you don't decide it in one second," he added. "I had a very fine tournament with Oranje and I look back at that with a good feeling."

The new Holland coach, Bert van Marwijk, is surprised and disappointed at the decision. "Of course I find it regrettable that I cannot make use of his qualities and international experience when I compose the Oranje selection," he said. "I have spoken in length with Ruud and I cannot do anything else than respect his decision."