Ruud van Nistelrooy

Date of Birth: July 1, 1976

Zodiac Sign: Cancer

Biography

Ruud van Nistelrooy, born Rutgerus Johannes Martinus van Nistelrooij, is a retired Dutch footballer renowned for his phenomenal goal-scoring ability. He was born on July 1, 1976, in Oss, Netherlands. Van Nistelrooy began his professional career at FC Den Bosch before moving on to SC Heerenveen, where his prolific scoring caught the attention of PSV Eindhoven. At PSV, he became one of the most feared strikers in Europe, leading to a high-profile transfer to Manchester United in 2001. During his time at United, van Nistelrooy won the Premier League, the FA Cup, and the League Cup, and was the league’s top scorer in the 2002–03 season. After his successful stint in England, van Nistelrooy moved to Real Madrid in 2006, where he continued his goal-scoring prowess, winning two La Liga titles. He later had shorter spells with Hamburger SV and Málaga CF before retiring in 2012. Internationally, van Nistelrooy earned 70 caps for the Netherlands, scoring 35 goals, and represented his country in multiple European Championships and the 2006 World Cup. Post-retirement, van Nistelrooy transitioned into coaching, taking up roles with the Dutch national team and PSV’s youth setup. He is widely regarded as one of the best strikers of his generation.

5 Interesting Facts about Ruud van Nistelrooy

1. Van Nistelrooy holds the record for most goals scored in consecutive Premier League games, with 10.

2. He won the Premier League Golden Boot in the 2002-03 season with 25 goals.

3. Van Nistelrooy was named UEFA Champions League Forward of the Year in 2002.

4. He scored a total of 56 goals in 73 UEFA Champions League appearances.

5. Ruud van Nistelrooy is the only player to have won the top scorer award in three different European leagues: the Eredivisie, Premier League, and La Liga.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Ruud van Nistelrooy

1. “Every goal is a journey, a process, a moment of teamwork and individual brilliance.”

2. “I always believed in my ability, but it was at Manchester United that I truly felt I was among the best.”

3. “Football is simple, but it’s difficult to play simple football.”

4. “Goals are the reward of hard work, not just for me, but for the entire team.”

5. “Winning is not just about lifting trophies; it’s about the journey and the people you’re with.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the peak of his career, Ruud van Nistelrooy’s net worth was estimated to be around $30 million.

Children

Ruud van Nistelrooy has three children with his wife Leontine Slaats: a daughter named Moa Annette van Nistelrooy, born in September 2006, and two sons, Liam van Nistelrooy and Kiyan van Nistelrooy.