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Ruud Van

Ruud Van facts

Name: Ruud Van
Date of birth: 1/7/1976
Height: 188 cm (6 feet, 2 inch)
Place of birth: Oss, Netherlands
Nationality: Dutch
Birth Name: Rutgerus Johannes Martinus van Nistelrooij
Nick Name: 'Van The Man'
Current team: Real Madrid
Position: Striker
Number: 17

Ruud Van biography

Ruud has played for Manchester United, wearing number 10 and number 9 in the National Holland Team. He began his career in 1993/94 season, joining FC Den Bosch in the Dutch Second Division. In 1997, he was bought by Heerenveen, and scored 13 goals in 30 matches during 1997/1998. In 1998, he was bought by another Dutch club, PSV Eindhoven, for 4.2 million pounds, transaction known as the most expensive between two Dutch clubs. In his first season with Eindhoven, he scored 31 goals, and that made him a top scorer.

On 18 November 1998, he made his international debut in a game with Germany. He was then voted Dutch Player of the Year.

On 6 March 2000, he suffered a knee injury, which made his move to Manchester United to be postponed. A few days later, in a training with PSV Eindhoven, he damaged his ligament. Even though his season was over, he was voted Dutch player of the year, for the second time.

On 1 March 2001, he made his come back in a match against Sparta Rotterdam, when he scored twice. Later in April, he signed for Manchester United for 19 million pounds. After scoring game after game, the club became aware that they owned one of the best strikers in the world of football. Some of his best appearances on the field were with Fulham, against which he scored twice, with Southampton, Boavista, Spurs, Sunderland, Deportivo and Bayern Munich. But his best and most known performance was when playing against United, when he came off the bench in the last minutes, scoring twice and establishing a brilliant 3-2 victory.

His style is considered to be unique, due to his capacity of scoring tap-ins, one-to-ones with the keeper, headers or direct shots, all with the same exactness and ease. This made him a penalty expert, being able to convert seven attempts with perfect accuracy.

Van Nistelrooy joined Manchester United in July 2006. His was transferred for €15 million (£10.3 m), and he signed a 3-year contract with the club. He has been given the number 17. In his performances with Real, Van Nistelrooy scored once against Real Salt Lake, twice against Anderlecht, and a hat-trick of goals against newly promoted Levante in the Spanish Primera division. In Champions League, he scored twice against Dynamo Kiev and once against Barcelona, leading the team to beat the champion with 3-0.

Spouse / Boyfriend/Girlfriend:
He is married to Leontien Slaats and they have a daughter named Moa Annette.

Trivia / Gossip:

He is passionate about literature. His favourite author is John Grisham

He is left-handed, even though he plays with his right foot.

He is Manchester United's all-time best goal scorer in Europe, with a record of 38 goals.

He has previous training in gymnastics.

He got married in Heilige Maria Magdalena Church, Geffen, South Holland, and spent his honeymoon in Mauritius.

His childhood hero is Marco van Basten and his favourite striker is Shevchenko.

He speaks Dutch, English, German and French

He has a brother, Ron and a sister, Anneke.

Personal Quotes:
“I will put my heart and soul into every match that I play. Obviously, being successful is important. And, yes, triumphing here is my main goal.”

Trademark:
He has exceptional agility and balance for his height of 1.88 m. He is also a natural striker with almost perfect finishing, especially in penalties.

Estimated income:
not disclosed