Full Name
Rutgerus Johannes Martinus van Nistelrooy
Position
Striker
Born
1 July 1976
Country
Holland
Clubs
Den Bosch (Holland)
Heerenveen (Holland)
PSV (Holland)
Manchester United (England)
Real Madrid (Spain)
Hamburger SV (Germany)
Malaga (Spain)
Professional Career
1993-2012
International Caps/Goals
70 caps/35 goals
Honours
2 Dutch Championship title (PSV)
1 English Premier League title, 1 FA Cup, 1 League Cup (Manchester United)
2 Spanish La Liga title, 1 Spanish Super Cup (Real Madrid)
One of the most clinical strikers of his generation, Ruud van Nistelrooy began to show his class at PSV by plundering 77 goals in only 90 games. In 2000, Manchester United pursued him but van Nistelrooy was out with serious injuries for the season. However, he was so highly valued that the Red Devils was willing to wait for him. A year later, van Nistelrooy successfully signed for Manchester United for a British record of £19 million.
In the next five seasons, van Nistelrooy repaid the club’s faith in him by scoring 150 goals in 219 games in all competitions, helping Manchester United to win the domestic title and cups. Arguably at his peak, he was one of the best strikers in the world in the mid-2000s. After leaving Manchester United, van Nistelrooy continued his success at Real Madrid by winning two Spanish La Liga titles. However, one major trophy that was missing in his cabinet was the prestigious Champions League.
Van Nistelrooy represented Holland 70 times, scoring 35 goals and participating in the 2006 World Cup, as well as Euro 2004 and 2008.
Best 100 Footballers in the World 