Last Sunday should have been dominated by Arjen Robben’s return as FC Groningen footballer. Due to an early injury, however, the striker’s return to the Eredivisie was limited to less than half an hour and there was also some criticism afterwards about the way Robben had behaved after his outburst. The 36-year-old routinier left immediately after his change, without the rest of the match from the Pride of the North against PSV (which ended in a 1-3 victory for the people of Eindhoven).

Robben returns on Thursday to his choice to leave immediately: “I was so done with it at the time”, he is quoted by RTV North. “You’re an athlete and you have emotions. I was angry, disappointed and I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that. If I can’t do that anymore, I don’t know. Then I first did the things that are good for my body, to limit the possible damage as much as possible. The first thing I’ve done is cool.”

“I quickly wrapped the leg and put a bandage on it to prevent any bleeding. Then I quickly went home, leg up, and then I lay there.” Robben has also been told that after his quick injury some people suggested that he ‘better stop it again’. However, the attacker didn’t take much notice of these kinds of statements: “People from the sidelines can shout all kinds of things. Anyone can say that.” Robben gives more value to the opinion of people he works with: “I think I still decide what I do myself.”

Wednesday it was already announced that his injury looks less serious than initially feared. Robben now let it be known that he himself was positive: “I had actually expected a worse scan”. Nevertheless, he does not intend to give the outside world a term to which he thinks he will be back: “If I say I’ll be back in two weeks and you’re not back in two weeks, people will say it’s not going well. If I say I’ll be back in six weeks and I’m faster, people will say I’m going to take a risk.”