Ruud Van Nistelrooy

Birth Date: July 1 1976
Birth Place: Oss
Birth Nation: Netherlands
Height: 188cm
Weight: 79Kg
Nationality: Dutch
Position: Forward

Ruud van Nistelrooy started his professional career with
Dutch second division side, Den Bosch as a midfielder in 1993 Ruud played only twice for Den Bosch in his first season.

Four years later he signed for Dutch first division team, SC Heerenveen, where he became a striker. His coach told him to learn to become better from watching Dennis Bergkamp play. So Van Nistelrooy drove to watch Bergkamp and studied every
move he made. It worked because Ruud scored 13 goals in 31 games in his first season.

Darren Ferguson told his father, Alex about Ruud's goal scoring prowess but on his 22nd birthday, van Nistelrooy signed for PSV Eindhoven for £4.2 million which was a transfer record between two Dutch clubs. He got off to a good start, scoring his first league goal for PSV against his former club in August. By the end of October, Ruud scored a hat-trick for PSV against Sparta. In fact he was in such great goal scoring form that on 18th November 1998, he made his international debut for Holland in a 1-1 draw against Germany.

His first international goal came in 1999 against Morocco in a 2-1 defeat. At the end of his first season with PSV in 1999, Ruud finished as top scorer in the Dutch League and second highest in Europe with 31 goals in 34 matches and earned himself second place in the European Golden Boot rankings. He was also voted Dutch Player of the Year by his fellow footballers.

In his second season with PSV Eindhoven, Van Nistelrooy
notched up another 29 goals (with two hat-tricks against Ajax) and was again top scorer in Holland. During this time, Manchester United had a year of negotiations with PSV Eindhoven about procuring Van Nistelrooy Manchester United looked like they would get Ruud van Nistelrooy in April of 2000 but the £18.5 million transfer collapsed because United's medical team found problems with his medial ligaments in his right knee.

Man United wanted to open his knee up but Ruud refused because it would of put him out of Euro 2000. But two days later in training at Eindhoven, Ruud collapsed having ruptured the cruciate ligament in the same knee. The same injury that Roy Keane had, and recovered from earlier. Ruud was forced to watch Euro 2000 on television in a clinic in Vail, Colorado. He received many words of support from players such as Ronaldo, a former PSV player, and Marc Overmars.

Ruud returned to action with PSV Eindhoven in March 2001 and was immediately back scoring the goals netting twice to help PSV into the Dutch Cup final. But Manchester United hadn't given up on the quest to secure Van Nistelrooy Ruud then turned down an offer to play for Real Madrid and instaed opted (after passing a thorough medical) to sign a five-year contract with Manchester United on April 23 2001. However United were forced to pay PSV an increased price of £19 million for him.

He wasted no time at Man Utd, scoring on his first team debut in the Charity Shield and on his Premiership debut against Fulham. From there, he went on to fire in 36 goals for United in his first season. He also entered the record books by scoring in nine consecutive Premiership games in December and January 2002. Van Nistelrooy led United's charge back to the top with a run of eight goals in eight games and was also on fire in the Champions League where he finished top scorer in the competition with ten goals. He was last season's top scorer in the English Premier League with 25 goals.

Ruud Van Nistelrooy Rumours and Transfers

25 10 2007

Real Madrid coach Bernd Schuster singled out Robinho after his two goals sealed a 4-2 win over Olympiakos.

The Brazil ace missed the Primera Liga defeat at Villarreal at the weekend as he had returned late from international duty, but he was back in the starting line-up on Wednesday night and was instrumental as Real came from behind to take control of Group C.

Despite being reduced to 10 men, Olympiakos were close to a famous win at the Bernabeu as they led 2-1 with just over 20 minutes left.

However, Robinho showed his class with two goals and an assist, while he also won a late penalty that Ruud van Nistelrooy blasted into the stands.

Schuster was full of praise for the diminutive play-maker, saying: "He's a player who knows how to win games."

22 10 2007

Italy are dominating the Golden Ball list of 50 candidates with eight players, while Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona each contributed seven names on the list.

- Golden Ball 2007 nominees:

Éric Abidal (Olympique Lyon, FC Barcelona)
Daniel Alves (FC Sevilla)
David Beckham (Real Madrid, Los Angeles Galaxy)
Dimitar Berbatov (Tottenham)
Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus Turin)
Fabio Cannavaro (Real Madrid)
Iker Casillas (Real Madrid)
Petr Cech (Chelsea)
Rogerio Ceni (Sao Paulo)
Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)
Deco (FC Barcelona)
Mahamadou Diarra (Real Madrid)
Diego (Werder Bremen)
Didier Drogba (Chelsea)
Michael Essien (Chelsea)
Samuel Eto'o (FC Barcelona)
Francesc Fabregas (Arsenal)
Gennaro Gattuso (Milan)
Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)
Ryan Giggs (Manchester United)
Thierry Henry (Arsenal, FC Barcelona)
Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Inter)
Filippo Inzaghi (Milan)
Kaka (Milan)
Frederic Kanoute (FC Sevilla)
Miroslav Klose (Werder Bremen, Bayern Munchen)
Younis Mahmoud (Algharafa)
Paolo Maldini (Milan)
Florent Malouda (Olympique Lyon, Chelsea)
Lionel Messi (FC Barcelona)
Shunsuke Nakamura (Celtic Glasgow)
Guillermo Ochoa (America Mexico)
Andrea Pirlo (Milan),
Ricardo Quaresma (FC Porto),
Raul (Real Madrid)
Franck Ribery (Olympique Marseille, Bayern Munchen),
Juan Roman Riquelme (Boca Juniors, Villarreal)
Robinho (Real Madrid)
Ronaldinho (FC Barcelona)
Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)
Paul Scholes (Manchester United)
Clarence Seedorf (Milan)
Carlos Tevez (West Ham, Manchester United)
Luca Toni (Fiorentina, Bayern Munchen)
Kolo Toure (Arsenal)
Jose Fernando Torres (Atletico Madrid, Liverpool)
Francesco Totti (AS Roma)
Ruud van Nistelrooy (Real Madrid)
Robin van Persie (Arsenal)
David Villa (Valencia)

15 10 2007

Roberto Soldado has still yet to play a competitive game for Real Madrid this season, despite coach Bernd Schuster's promises that he would be involved in the first team squad.

The 22 year old forward, though, has tried to remain upbeat and, in a recent interview with Marca, declared that Madrid's results remain his top priority.

"It's hard when you're not even entering into the squad list, but you need to keep trying, to be strong, and to respect your colleagues," he began.

"Should I triumph here, then my suffering will be worth it."

Recently, Soldado's agent remarked that, should the situation at the Bernabeu remain as-is, then his client would look to move on, perhaps in January.

For now, though, he remains committed to the Blancos.

"My dream has always been to succeed at Real Madrid and I will try with all my strength to do so," he said.

"It took many twists and turns to convince the club not to sell me [in summer]. I won't leave as long as I have an opportunity to succeed."

Last season, he managed 11 strikes in La Liga while on loan at Osasuna. Pre-season, things looked good for Soldado, who was given the number 9 jersey for a series of non-competitive matches.

Since then, though, the good form of Raul and Ruud van Nistelrooy has kept him out of the starting XI, while Schuster seems to prefer Julio Baptista and Javier Saviola as substitutes.

14 10 2007

Bernd Schuster's assistant, Manolo Ruiz, believes that the first international break of the season was to blame for the Real Madrid's inability to maintain their entertaining start and took a sly dig at Fabio Capello.

Los Merengues are top of the table, but have been battling to garner results following two exciting encounters with Atletico and Villarreal opened the campaign.

"Those games were very electric, but they were followed by international games, which destabilised us," Ruiz explained. "We are calm because we know the team can make considerable improvements."

Ruiz was then asked in the interview with AS, whether it had been difficult to change the team ethic from Capello's system and he could not resist taking a gentle swipe at the Italian.

"It was hard at first, but in the end every player likes to enjoy playing football," he said.

The Madrid number two defended the squad rotation system in place and stated that the plan will not be scrapped even if it is not proving to be popular with the fans.

"Everyone's talking about that, but the changes have been necessary due to the injuries several players have sustained," he continued.

"Nevertheless, our intention is not to exhaust our players. It would be a mistake not to give them any rest in 70 games. We won't change this scheme, even if it means paying a high price with public opinion."

Ruiz then reflected on several of the Madrid players that have been in the news this term, with Wesley Sneijder's rollercoaster start at the club first up.

"He came from an important club and he is a Dutch international," he stated. "But there is no need for him to carry the weight of the team on his shoulders! Other players already have that responsibility."

On Robinho, the coach revealed that he has told the Brazilian to go for goal when he has the chance: "He moves and looks to pass the ball more often... I've told him he must be a bit more selfish inside the box.

Marcelo's improvement has been rapid and Ruiz admitted he was pleased: "He has matured and made great progress on a tactical level. He knows how to defend better."

Finally, Ruiz revealed how impressed he and Schuster have been with the partnership between Raul and Ruud Van Nistelrooy up front.

"We are very happy with our strikers," he said. "Some teams have very individual strikers that only look to score for their own personal glory, but Raul and Ruud play very well together. One of them breaks through the defence while the other looks for space in which to score."

05 10 2007

Hedwiges Maduro, Klaas Jan Huntelaar and Arjen Robben have returned to the Netherlands squad for the upcoming qualifiers against Romania and Slovenia.

The three players have been out of the picture in recent months. Huntelaar has not played for the national team since June, Maduro not since the 2006 FIFA World Cup finals, while a knee injury has kept Robben out of the squad since his last appearance in March.

Mario Melchiot, Robin van Persie and Wesley Sneijder are included despite being suspended for the game against Group G leaders Romania in Constanta.

The two countries are level on 20 points and are battling with Bulgaria, two points back but having played a game more, for the top two places.

Henk Timmer provides extra cover for goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar, who is doubtful with a toe injury, while Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink misses out with a hamstring injury.

Netherlands squad

Goalkeepers: Edwin van der Sar (Manchester United FC), Maarten Stekelenburg (AFC Ajax), Henk Timmer (Feyenoord).

Defenders: Khalid Boulahrouz (Sevilla FC), Wilfred Bouma (Aston Villa FC), Urby Emanuelson (AFC Ajax), John Heitinga (AFC Ajax), Kew Jaliens (AZ Alkmaar), Joris Mathijsen (Hamburger SV), Mario Melchiot (Wigan Athletic FC), Andre Ooijer (Blackburn Rovers FC).

Midfielders: Giovanni van Bronckhorst (Feyenoord), Nigel de Jong (Hamburger SV), Hedwiges Maduro (AFC Ajax), Clarence Seedorf (AC Milan), Wesley Sneijder (Real Madrid CF), Rafael van der Vaart (Hamburger SV), Demy de Zeeuw (AZ Alkmaar).

Forwards: Ryan Babel (Liverpool FC), Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (AFC Ajax), Dirk Kuyt (Liverpool FC), Ruud van Nistelrooy (Real Madrid CF), Robin van Persie (Arsenal FC), Arjen Robben (Real Madrid CF).

05 10 2007

Real Madrid are preparing to offer Ruud Van Nistelrooy an extension to his contract as a reward for his goalscoring exploits on the pitch and his professionalism off it.

The Dutch striker moved to the Bernabeu in 2006 from Manchester United and penned a two-year deal with the option for a third.

After being a key player in Madrid's title win last term and impressing with a tally of 33 goals, Van Nistelrooy has impressed the board at the club.

Los Merengues' technical director Predrag Mijatovic has also been delighted with the striker's willingness to help the three new Dutch arrivals settle in.

Van Nistelrooy has been looking after Wesley Sneijder, Royston Drenthe and Arjen Robben and that has gone down very well with Mijatovic.

"Ruud is an exemplary sportsman, just like Raul" a Real Madrid spokesman said. "He is a lad that trains like he plays, who has never given us any problems and is helping the new players to settle in. He was crucial to the club winning the league last season and has been very effective again this year. This offer of renewal is deserved."

Van Nistelrooy is 31 now and the new deal will see him tied to Madrid until he is 34, but there are few fears that he will lose his goalscoring prowess in the next three years.

Mijatovic is due to ask the player's agent, Rodger Linse, to begn negotiations over the contract extension in the next two weeks.

04 10 2007

Fabio Cannavaro praised Lazio for their performance, but admits 'lazy' Real Madrid have much to learn about team spirit and defending as a unit.

'Lazio played a great game and we didn't do too well, as we should not have left so much space and were lucky they didn't make the most of that,' he said after the 2-2 draw at the Olimpico.

'I have been playing in Spain for a year and there are differences. You defend less as a unit and more as individuals, so you get a lot of one-against-one or even two-against-one. This is their mentality and that is tough to change, even though we tried last season.'

Fabio Capello won the Liga title with Real, but was fired because his style of play was not considered to be entertaining enough.

Cannavaro was one of the few imports requested by Capello that remained at the club and he revealed the difficulties he has to deal with in Madrid.

'I always tell them to help out the defence, as the important thing in a team is balance and everyone fighting together,' he told Sky Italia television.

'I can't ask Ruud van Nistelrooy and Raul to work in defence, but I can tell them to adjust their position slightly during the difficult times when we are under pressure. When you are on the field with attacking midfielders like Wesley Sneijder, Guti and Arjen Robben, they get lazy and focus more on the attack rather than coming back to help out. We do discuss these things.'

Gabriel Heinze was used as Cannavaro's central defensive partner in that Champions League encounter.

'We have had injuries to Pepe and Metzelder, while we needed a bit more attacking flair down the right with Sergio Ramos, so Heinze was chosen to partner me in the centre. We have a large squad and the Coach likes to change regularly so everyone gets a rest.'

Real Madrid now share top spot in Group C with Olympiacos, who won 3-1 away to Werder Bremen, on four points. Lazio have two points, Werder are yet to get off the mark.