Arjen Robben's trademark is probably his lethal left-footed finishes — most notably the curling far-post strikes he's converted so many times after cutting in from the right wing. But the former Bayern Munich winger might become renowned in the footballing world for his method of transportation to first team matches.
The Dutch legend arrived at FC Groningen's Eredivisie match against FC Utrecht on Sunday via a pair of wheels that many footballers are unaccustomed to.
Op de fiets naar de club. Arjen Robben verandert nooit! #groutr pic.twitter.com/MYOW7shWSH
— FOX Sports (@FOXSportsnl) October 18, 2020
"He has always cycled to games," Arjen's father Hans said back in 2004, "In this town it is normal that you go to school on bike. 13 kilometres there, 13 back and you do it, no question. When he was playing in the first team he also went by bike. He asked me, 'Dad can you bring me?' and I said, 'No. I can't.'"
His cycling escapades even helped Robben garner the nickname 'Boy on the Bike'.
When he first moved to Chelsea, Robben was asked whether his habit of cycling to the stadium would continue. He responded, "Why not? The new complex is very close to where I live with my girlfriend, and if the weather is nice I can go by bike again."
"When I started playing first-team football, I didn't actually have a driving license. I had to go by bike. I used to cycle 10 kilometres each way to school every day, and I used to cycle to training as well."
Who can argue with a man who has scored 209 senior goals in club football and appeared 96 times for his country? Cycling is a great form of low-impact cardio, so it's likely that Robbens's frequent peddling contributed to the longevity of his footballing career.
The Dutchman has played twice so far this season for Groningen after returning from semi-retirement, but he is still looking for his first goal in his second stint with his boyhood club. Hopefully he can recreate some of his Bayern magic during his Eredivisie victory lap.
