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Retired Football Star Robben Scores Big in Padel Debut
17 Nov
Summary
- Arjen Robben, 41, transitions to professional padel player
- Wins first-ever FIP tournament match in August 2025
- Decorated football career includes 12 league titles, Champions League
Arjen Robben, the former football star known for his illustrious career with clubs like PSV Eindhoven, Chelsea, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich, has made a remarkable transition into the sport of padel. As of November 2025, the 41-year-old Dutchman is now a ranked professional padel player, having achieved his first ranking points in the International Padel Federation (FIP) just a few months ago.
In late August 2025, Robben entered the FIP Bronze Westerbork tournament, part of the CUPRA FIP Tour, in his native Netherlands. Alongside his partner Werner Lootsma, Robben secured his first-ever victory on the tour, overcoming six match points to defeat Ralph Boekema and former footballer Mark Weldmate with a score of 4-6, 6-3, 7-6.
Robben's decorated football resume includes an impressive 12 league titles across four different top flights, as well as a Champions League trophy and 96 caps for the Netherlands over a 14-year international career. Now, at the age of 41, he is applying his competitive spirit to a new athletic challenge, transitioning from the pitch to the padel court.
