He failed three big finals. But one “curse” still didn’t work

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Former Netherlands national team midfielder Arjen Robben celebrates his birthday today: ex-Netherlands national team midfielder, who retired in 2021, celebrates his birthday. The Chelsea, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich footballer celebrates his 40th birthday. On a significant date for the famous player, Sport remembers his failures and the main performance that overcame all defeats and wrote the name of the “unlucky Dutchman” into history.

Arjen Robben

• multiple champion of the Netherlands, England, Spain and Germany, winner of national Cups and Super Cups;
• 
  winner of the UEFA Champions League;
• winner of the UEFA Super Cup and the Club World Cup trophy;
• vice -champion and bronze medalist of the 2010 and 2014 World Championships;
• bronze medalist of Euro 2004.

The bad luck of legends is one of the saddest topics for both fans and journalists who sincerely sympathize with big people in the “number one sport”. German Michael Ballack lost the finals of the Champions League, World and European Championships, and the great Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, although he became the world champion, lost to Juventus in three decisive matches of the Champions League. It is also impossible not to remember GiGi’s compatriot Alessandro del Piero, who survived three defeats in the Champions League finals and the main meeting of Euro 2000.

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&quot ;That moment is still before my eyes…It became a part of me, a part of my career and a part of my life. He will stay with me forever. But it’s still the past,” Robben admitted in a commentary for Goal.com.

However, in May 2013, fate returned the favor to poor Arjen.

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Bayern spent the 2012/13 season at the highest level, winning the championship and the German Cup. There was one step left before the historic “treble”: having destroyed Barcelona in the semi-finals of the Champions League with a total score of 7:0, the Munich team went to London, where no less bright stars from Borussia Dortmund were waiting for them.

The match at Wembley turned out to be tough (the Bumblebees responded to Mario Mandzukic's clumsy goal with a precise 11-meter kick by Ilkay Gundogan), everything was heading towards extra time. But here the performing skills of the two leaders of Bayern played a role. In the 89th minute, Franck Ribery, surrounded by defenders, handled the ball after a cross and blindly rolled his heel… Right at Robben, who circled the defender and fell out to face the goalkeeper.

Neither the frame of the goal, nor goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller frozen at the exit, nor otherworldly forces could prevent the goal from being scored. The best player of the final, without holding back his tears, rushed to celebrate the long-awaited victory with the fans. The biggest and most long-awaited of my career.

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«Before the 2013 final with Borussia, the pressure was incredible. Although I had a positive attitude, I was confident in our victory… But in At the same time I thought: “I can’t play in three Champions League finals and lose them all.» Nobody wants such a mark on their career. Everyone would say: “He achieved a lot, but didn’t win the Champions League.” (Four Four Two)

Arjen Robben
Ex-footballer of Bayern and the Netherlands national team

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