From Champions League Final to International Padel Debut: Arjen Robben, the Eternal Sportsman
Every footballer fills life after football differently. Some become coaches or pundits, others quietly fade into the background. Some launch fashion brands, invest in businesses, or spend their days on the golf course. But Arjen Robben? The man who once lit up the biggest stages in world football has chosen a new arena: the padel court. Last weekend, the former wing wizard of Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Chelsea, PSV, Groningen and the Dutch national team has officially made his professional padel debut.
From Wembley Lights to Village Courts
Robben’s new chapter began at the Racket Club in Westerbork, during a FIP Bronze tournament featuring several international padel stars. Together with his partner Werner Lootsma, he faced the toughest of welcomes: Thijs Roper and Sten Richters, ranked first and third in the Netherlands. The result? A sobering 6-1, 6-0 defeat. But then again, Robben’s career has never just been about results, it’s about obsession, drive, and pushing the limits.
The Fire Never Left
That fire was already visible in the qualifiers. Partnered with Lootsma, Robben clawed back against former pro footballer Mark Veldmate, saving no fewer than six match points. “He’s just as fanatical as he was as a footballer,” said tournament director Mark Brouwer, who watched the Groningen legend throw himself into every rally. Even his opponents could only admire him. Sten Richters confessed afterwards: “Arjen hit great shots and chased down every point. His knees were torn up after the match. He’s without doubt the best ex-pro footballer to ever play padel.”
A Humble Start on the Rankings
By reaching the main draw, Robben immediately earned a spot on the official padel rankings. Not near the top, but debuting as number 244 in the Netherlands. A modest entry perhaps, but for someone as driven as Robben, it feels more like the beginning of a new climb than a finish line.
Life After Football, Robben-Style
Whether he ever wins a padel trophy hardly matters. What matters is that Robben is incapable of standing still. His life after football is one of sweat, scraped knees, and burning ambition. Just like in his football days, he plays to the last breath. We have already seen him push his limits beyond the football pitch, running a marathon in a remarkable time, testing himself with long-distance swimming, and dedicating his knowledge to the next generation as youth coach at FC Groningen. Now, he adds professional padel to that list. Only now, the roars don’t come from Champions League stadiums, but from the crowds gathered around the glass walls of a padel court. And somehow, that feels just as right.
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Ready for more?
Robben was not the only fanatic who found it hard to say goodbye to elite sport. Check the remarkable story of Edgar Davids, who, two years into his retirement, decided to return to professional football.
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