Van Nistelrooy left out of Euro 2012
Málaga striker Ruud van Nistelrooy has been told he will not be part of the Holland squad for Euro 2012 to be held in Poland and Ukraine this summer.
According to Algemeen Dagblad, Dutch national team Coach Bert van Marwijk called the former Manchester United and Real Madrid man this week to inform him of the decision, effectively bringing to an end his international career.
“I rang him to tell him he wouldn’t be considered for the squad. I wanted to let him know in good time,” explained Van Marwijk.
For his part, Van Nistelrooy took the decision with good grace after being put in the picture by Van Marwijk, although he will remain available for the tournament if the worst comes to the worst and the Dutch squad is struck by injuries.
“The Coach communicated it well and I thought it was understandable when he stated it was over,” said Van Nistelrooy. “I had already taken into account if I was fit enough but I am not in the Málaga starting line-up at the moment. It then becomes difficult to fulfil my ambitions with the Dutch team. But it was obviously nice to be asked if I was still available (in case of emergency).”
Van Nistelrooy made his Holland debut against Germany in November, 1998 and has scored 35 times in 70 appearances, the country’s joint-second highest marksman alongside Faas Wilkes and five behind Patrick Kluivert. His last, and possibly final appearance was in March, 2011 in a 5-3 European Championship qualifying victory over Hungary, when he came on as a half-time substitute and scored.
The 35-year-old has already said he is contemplating retirement from football this summer as his career draws to a close and is expected to make up his mind at the end of April.
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