Credit: Twitter
After making a comeback for his boyhood club Groningen, former Bayern Munich and Chelsea forward Arjen Robben has taken retirement from professional football for the second time in July 2021. However, the Dutch legend has maintained his physical health by participating in marathons and the 39-year-old Robben broke his own best in Sunday's Rotterdam Marathon.
Robben finished the Rotterdam Marathon on Sunday afternoon in under three hours and broke his former time of three hours, 13 minutes, and 40 seconds at the same marathon in 2022. The Dutch international took two hours and 58 seconds to complete the 42 kilometers race.
The video has gone viral on social media, where former professional football player Arjen Robben has set a top time at the Rotterdam Marathon. Robben completed the race alongside Erben Wennemars, a former Dutch speed skater, who has set three world records in his career.
Watch the video here:
Robben said immediately after the break that a marathon is very long for a sprinter like him and also that he is not a top athlete any more but running a marathon in under three hours was close to any achievement in football.
The former Real Madrid player said, "For a sprinter like me, such a distance is very long. But I like sports and challenges. I'm no longer a top athlete, but I can say I think it's a top sport when you can run a marathon in under three hours. That comes very close to winning a major football title. Great, I can tick that off."
Arjen Robben retired in 2021 after playing for a year in Groningen and had an outstanding career in Europe. The Dutch legend won the Champions League with Bayern Munich in 2013-14 and eight league titles. He was part of the Premier League-winning team, Chelsea in 2005 and 2006.