The older I get, the better I play' - the remarkable resurgence of Bayern superstar Arjen Robben

The Dutch icon's top-level career appeared to be over after he missed a penalty in the 2012 Champions League final loss to Chelsea. But he has bounced back brilliantly

Arjen Robben may be widely regarded today as one of the greatest players on the planet, but just over two years ago the Dutchman's career was at an all-time low.

At the start of April in 2012, Bayern Munich were in the running to achieve a historic treble as they prepared for a final assault on the Bundesliga, DFB-LigaPokal and Champions League. They ended up finishing that season empty-handed after a disastrous end to the campaign - and the scapegoat for this failure was Robben.

The winger missed a crucial penalty in the Bundesliga defeat to Borussia Dortmund to effectively hand BVB the title. He then failed from 12 yards again in extra time of the Champions League final against Chelsea as Bayern were eventually defeated on home soil after spot-kicks.

When Robben took part in a friendly game between Bayern and Netherlands at the Allianz Arena a few days later, he was booed and jeered every time he touched the ball. A summer transfer away from Bavaria seemed inevitable.

But the former PSV, Chelsea and Real Madrid star refused to give in and was determined to win back the Bayern fans. He did just that the following season, proving instrumental as Bayern eventually romped to the treble.

In total, in the last two seasons, he has won consecutive Bundesliga titles, two DFB Pokals, the Uefa Super Cup, the Fifa Club World Cup and the Champions League - with the Dutchman netting the winner in the final victory over Dortmund at Wembley.



“What happened to me is part of football. The most important thing is that you keep believing in yourself and stay positive. I know that's easy to say in hindsight, but that's the way it is,” the Dutchman tells Goal.

“You always have to fight and work hard. It was a very frustrating season [in 2011-12], but life goes on and we all saw that we achieved some great things after that season.

“I don't think the whole experience changed me, at least not as a person. The football world can be very opportunistic. When you're on a good run and win titles, everything is great again all of a sudden.”

Bayern stood by the Dutchman during the difficult times, and club president Karl-Heinz Rummenigge insists that they have a very strong relationship with the 30-year-old.

“What happened in that friendly really annoyed the club," Rummenigge tells Goal.

"We never left him out in the dark, though, and always supported him. This is part of what Bayern are about. We all support each other. We have always had a good relationship with Arjen, but that incident only further strengthened it."

Robben has not only impressed at club level over the past two years, but has also developed into his nation's undisputed star player.

The 30-year-old was one of the sensations of the 2014 World Cup and he helped Oranje to a surprise third-place finish with a string of stunning displays, including two memorable goals against Spain.



“For me, Robben was the best player at the World Cup," says new Bayern team-mate Xabi Alonso.

"He has been in unbelievable form all year. He is a player who adds something extra to an attack. When he gets the ball, you know anything can happen.

"He has been a big part of this club for the past five years. He is a great professional and a role model for our young players. You need players like him, who want to play each game and improve every week.”

Robben did not take his foot off the gas after the World Cup and has continued to impress in the opening weeks of the 2014-15 campaign, scoring three goals in five Bundesliga appearances and creating two more.

“The way Robben played in Brazil was surreal and he is the same at Bayern this season. There was not a defender who could stop him. Whenever he touches the ball, our opponents know they have to be alert,” Rummenigge continues.

Whereas many would have expected Robben’s career to fizzle out after the age of 30 due to his poor record with injuries and his athletic style of play, the exact opposite has happened.

“Perhaps it's just the other way around for me. The older I get, the better I play," Robben laughs.

The experienced winger has already won 17 major titles during his career, including league titles in Netherlands, England, Spain and Germany. And as he shows no signs of slowing down, expect Arjen Robben to win many more trophies in the coming years.