Ruud van Nistelrooy

THE PROLIFIC GOAL-GETTER 

Ruud van Nistelrooy remains one of the game’s most prolific goal scorers of all time. He enjoys the record of being the fourth highest goal scorer in UEFA Champions League history with a massive 56 goals. He was named the League’s top scorer three times and was also the lead scorer in three different European domestic leagues. Despite these amazing results his name often disappears when discussing some of the greats, this is mainly due to his spats with fellow team players and a certain Sir Alex Ferguson. Currently he is the manager of the PSV youth team in Netherlands post retirement in 2012 at the age of 35.  Both Nistelrooy and his wife are actively involved in the SOS Children’s Villages.

EARLY LIFE

Born as Rutgerus Johannes Martinus van Nistelrooy, his name was shortened to Ruud. He was born in Oss, Netherlands in July in 1976. Initially he played his first professional season in 1993-94 for local side Den Bosch when he was just 17. After four years he then moved to Heerenveen where he went on to score 13 goals in one season. He then transferred to another local side PSV (Philips Sport Vereniging) where he played for three season amassing 62 goals and built a name which ended up attracting Manchester United of all clubs. While at PSV he won the team two Eredivisie titles.

CAREER

During his tenure at Manchester United he won the Premier League, FA Cup, Football League Cup and the FA Community Shield. During the 219 appearances he had for Man U he scored 150 goals in total for the club. He soon became their all time European record goal scorer. During his first three season a Man U he broke the 30 goal barrier in all matches and went on to score 44 goals in 52 games in 2002-2003. His reputation at Manchester United became that of a deadly finisher and one of the clubs most prolific players. The total goals he scored in his first season alone for Man U stand at 100. On the international front for Netherlands he scored 35 goals bringing his total goal scoring card to 249 goals throughout his 19 season career.  Despite these results it comes as a surprise to many that Nistelrooy’s name isn’t taken in the same league as one of the greats – rightfully so –  this is due to his constant sparring with fellow team members and the clubs manager which resulted in the player being outcast on many occasions.  After the 2005 season at Manu he left for Real Madrid for a three year contract. Within his first season he had scored a hat-trick in his second game and earned the league’s Pichichi honor with 25 goals and helped them win the La Liga titles. He scored 46 goals in total for Real Madrid.

AWARDS & ACHIEVEMENTS

He has won the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award twice. Van Nistelrooy  was awarded the coveted Golden Boot in 2002 and has been Player of the Month three consecutive times – 2001, 2002 and 2003.

Who is Ruud van Nistelrooy?

Ruud van Nistelrooy is a retired Dutch footballer, widely recognized as one of the most prolific strikers in football history. He played for clubs like PSV Eindhoven, Manchester United, and Real Madrid during his illustrious career.

Did Ruud van Nistelrooy win the Premier League?

Yes, Ruud van Nistelrooy won the Premier League with Manchester United.

Did Ruud van Nistelrooy play for Real Madrid?

Yes, Ruud van Nistelrooy played for Real Madrid after transferring from Manchester United.

Why did Ruud van Nistelrooy leave Manchester United?

Ruud van Nistelrooy left Manchester United due to differences with then-manager Sir Alex Ferguson and subsequently joined Real Madrid.

What does Ruud van Nistelrooy do now?

After retiring as a player, Ruud van Nistelrooy transitioned to coaching and management roles.

How old is Ruud van Nistelrooy?

Ruud van Nistelrooy was born on 1 July 1976, which makes him 47 years old as of 2023.

Who did Ruud van Nistelrooy play for?

Ruud van Nistelrooy played for several clubs during his career, including PSV Eindhoven, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Hamburg, and Málaga.

Is Ruud van Nistelrooy married?

Yes, Ruud van Nistelrooy is married to Leontien Slaats, and the couple has children together.

How good was Ruud van Nistelrooy?

Ruud van Nistelrooy is widely regarded as one of the best strikers of his generation, known for his goal-scoring prowess, particularly inside the penalty box.

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