Dream debut: ex-Bayern star Robben kicks off new career as padel pro

Arjen Robben is back - but not on the football field. The former wing star of FC Bayern has made his professional debut in the trendy sport Padel in the Netherlands. Around 500 spectators watched the 41-year-old's premiere, proving once and for all that he remains athletically competitive off the pitch.

Four years after his retirement as a footballer, Robben ventures into new territory. He competed with partner Werner Lootsma at the FIP Bronze Tournament in Westerbork, Netherlands. The duo even made it into the main field with a kick-off victory, but had to admit defeat there.

Despite the early exit, Robben left an impression. His opponents praised him effusively: "Arjen is the best former professional footballer we know who plays Padel." The former national player, who played 96 times for the Elftal, was satisfied after the tournament: "I don't take myself too seriously. I started with low expectations, but I fought, gave everything and scored as many points as possible."

Robben also stated that he wants to make Padel more popular in the Netherlands: "Zlatan Ibrahimovic made Padel big in Sweden, and I think I can achieve the same in the Netherlands."

– Saturday, 30 August 2025

Robben's enthusiasm for Padel has been with him since he left FC Bayern in 2019. At that time, he began to play regularly, often in Germany. In Geretsried near Munich, he was a regular guest on the court. Today, he mostly trains in his hometown of Groningen, where he even had his own court built in his garden.

With the start of the tournament, Robben collected points for the world ranking for the first time. According to Tennis Tonic , he jumped directly to rank 244 in the Netherlands. For the Dutchman, this is just the beginning - further participation in professional tournaments is to follow.

His debut already attracted several hundred spectators, who still associate the name Robben with spectacular sports. Even if it was not yet enough for a big coup in sports, the former Bayern star once again showed that he still has the ambition to compete at the highest level.

It is clear: For Robben, Padel is not just a hobby, but a real second athletic career. And anyone who knows the Dutchman knows: He will do everything he can to be successful in this discipline as well.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.