Netherlands national team coach Bert van Marwijk has said that former Real Madrid striker Ruud van Nistelrooy will not be taking part in the Euro 2012 this summer. Ruud van Nistelrooy is regarded as one of the greatest strikers of recent times. He played for Manchester United and Real Madrid during his illustrious career. However, the player, who is currently with Spanish club Malaga, is out of favour when it comes to the national team. Dutch coach van Marwijk recently confirmed that the striker will not be at the Euro 2012. He also said that his decision has been conveyed to the striker.
The 35-year-old striker has struggled for form and fitness at Malaga this season. However, there has been the case for taking him to the Euro 2012 due to their wealth of experience he might provide. Van Marwijk, though, sees Arsenal striker Robin van Persie as a more suitable replacement. Robin van Persie has scored 35 goals in all competitions for Arsenal and is spectacular scoring form. Ruud van Nistelrooy’s contract with the Spanish club will be coming to an end this summer. There has been no talk of a new deal or any other club interested in him. Hence, there has been suggestions that he might retire at the end of this season.
“I wanted to inform Ruud at an early stage. You cannot tell a player of his stature something like this in May. We had a clear agreement that he was still a candidate for the Euro 2012 squad until I contacted him to tell him the bad news. I called him to inform him that he will not be traveling to Poland and Ukraine,” Van Marwijk told Algemeen Dagblad. The striker is one of the most prolific for the national team having scored 35 goals in 70 appearances.