This summer's World Cup we'll the last chance to see probably the best predator finisher in the history of the game on international stage, Ruud van Nistelrooy.
An illustrious, but injury ravaged career is coming to an end soon for the Dutch striker with South Africa 2010 the final chance to have a similar impact for his country than he's had for various club sides.
As a man, who made his first international team appearance at the age of 22, you could call Ruud van Nistelrooy a late bloomer, but it took time for the man to get the recognizion he deserved. Coming through a so called lesser side Den Bosch in Netherlands, he's record as a goal scorer was far from impressive. Much thanks to being a central defender is his first years. Soon enough though van Nistelrooy found himself, where he belongs - at the forward line, striking fear into the opposition defenders. You could say that he's early experience as a defender has helped him to become the dangerous striker he is today. And he'd would probably become even greater if it wasn't for injuries.
It all started at PSV. A knee ligament injury which postponed his move to Manchester United by year. The injury ghost took some time to appear again at his new club, but even when it did, van Nistelrooy still finished with 16 goals in a total of 27 appearances that included 8 in the Champions League, which was the season's 2004/05 best in the competition. Whilst he's career at United ended sourly he'll still go down in the history as one of the greatest striker's ever to have played for the club. 150 goals in 5 seasons is an incredible record for modern day football.
Van Nistelrooy's career at Real Madrid seemed to follow the same route. The man tied the league's record of most consecutive games scored in with 7 matches. In the end again a phenomenal 65 goals in 97 matches, after fighting with various injuries and with the management team at Real turning it's back on him.
And now, after signing a 1,5 year deal with HSV, van Nistelrooy has the time to again prove himself at club level, but time is running out fast internationally. Having already first retired from the scene in 2008, the man is back to have his final word. There are some goals to be added to the tally of 33, which, again thanks to injuries, have came in only 64 appearances.
Probable Netherlands' side at the World Cup:
Backed up by players like van der Vaart, Kuyt, Hunterlaar, de Zeeuw and many more, you wouldn't bet against van Nistelrooy going out with a bang.
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