Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie were appointed as national knights by the KNVB on Sunday. The association awarded the duo of former internationals the prestigious award for ‘representing Dutch football in a distinctive way’. After honorary membership, the award of Bond Knight is the highest that the KNVB has. Robben and Van Persie thus follow in the footsteps of record international Wesley Sneijder, who was already appointed as national knight four years earlier.
The KNVB awarded Robben and van Persie the title and accompanying certificate during a meeting of former internationals in Zeist. “Both Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben have represented Dutch football in a characteristic way throughout their careers,” explained director of professional football Marianne van Leeuwen. “Not only because of the wonderful moments they have given football, but also because of the way in which they – each in their own way – have been able to leave their mark on sporting achievements. For a long period they have also been defining players for the Dutch , allowing an entire generation to grow up with them as football heroes.”
???????????????? ??????? ???????????? ???????????????? ???? ?? A special award is part of a special achievement for Dutch football. Congratulations on the Federal Knighthood, @Persie_Official & @Arjen Robben! ??
#NothingLikeOrange https://t.co/jYorzmW6YR— OurOrange (@OnsOrange) September 25, 2022
Traditionally, the federal knighthood has been an award for volunteers who have done heavy work for the KNVB over a long period of time. Under the chairmanship of Michael van Praag (from 2008 to 2019), however, more and more room has been created to also be nominated on the basis of sporting achievements. Internationals, who, like Robben, Van Persie and Sneijder, ‘make a special contribution to Dutch football over a long period’ according to the association, can also qualify since then.
96-time international Robben (37 goals) made his debut for the Dutch national team in April 2003, while 102-time international Van Persie (50 goals) got his fill just over two years later. The two were in the selection for a final tournament five times: at the 2006, 2010 and 2014 World Cups and the 2008 and 2012 European Championships. Robben also experienced the 2004 European Championship. The most memorable tournament in which both participated was the 2010 World Cup, when the the Dutch narrowly had to leave the title to Spain.
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