Arjen Robben played his first Eredivisie match in over 16 years after returning for first club Groningen in their league match against PSV.
The flying winger was named as captain as he started in his familiar right-midfield position for their season opener — but his comeback proved short lived as he was hauled off after 30 minutes through injury.
The 36-year-old sensationally came out of retirement this summer to make a sentimental return to the club where he started his career after previously hanging up his boots when he left German champions Bayern Munich in 2019.
After being named to feature from the start, Robben broke a record set by former Holland team-mate Robin Van Persie for the longest absence between two Eredivisie games — playing 16 years and 155 days since his last appearance for PSV in 2004.
It was a short-lived return for the former Real Madrid and Chelsea winger, though, after being withdrawn just half an hour into the game with an apparent muscular problem. He limped off and was replaced by replaced by Tomas Suslov.
PSV went 1-0 up five minutes later as Cody Gakpo opened the scoring before Robben's replacement Suslov levelled things up. That equaliser proved in vain as the visitors went on to secure a 3-1 win.
The former Holland international scored his first goal since the career U-turn in a pre-season friendly this summer, slotting home with his left foot in typical style against Arminia Bielefeld.
Robben is considered one of the greatest wingers of his generation, with his dribbling skills and ability to cut inside and shoot a trademark move associated with him.
His most successful period came whilst playing for Bayern, winning eight Bundesliga titles, five DFB-Pokal's and scoring the winner in the Bavarian side's 2012-13 Champions League final in a 10-year stint at the club.
Audi01
14
when he was 21in Chelsea, i thought he looked 40, now he is approaching 40 and he looks 21