Arjen Robben
A Dutch winger whose explosive left-footed cuts inside and precise finishes defined an era of European football dominance.
Born 1984 (age 42)·Dutch association footballer·Birthday: January 23·Millennials
Biography
Arjen Robben’s career was a masterclass in the art of the predictable-yet-unstoppable move. Emerging from Groningen in the Netherlands, his blistering pace and technical skill quickly made him a coveted asset across Europe’s top leagues. At Chelsea, Real Madrid, and finally Bayern Munich, he transformed from a talented youngster into a footballing force of nature. His signature move—darting from the right wing onto his devastating left foot—became one of the sport’s most iconic attacking patterns, a weapon that decided countless Bundesliga titles and the 2013 UEFA Champions League final. Plagued by injuries, his resilience became as notable as his talent, with each comeback seemingly adding another layer of lethal efficiency to his game. Robben retired having etched his name into the history of every club he played for, a player whose specific genius was celebrated and feared in equal measure.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Arjen was born in 1984, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Arjen Was Born
The biggest hits of 1984
#1 Movie
Beverly Hills Cop
Best Picture
Amadeus
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Arjen's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1984Born
Apple Macintosh introduced
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $59,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"When Doves Cry" — PrinceBest Picture: Amadeus
1989Started school
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1997Became a teenager
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
2000Could drive
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2002Could vote
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2005Turned 21
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2014Turned 30
Russia annexes Crimea; Ebola outbreak in West Africa
Gas: $3.37/galHome: $160,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Happy" — Pharrell WilliamsBest Picture: Birdman
2024Turned 40
AI reshapes industries; Paris Olympics
Gas: $3.31/galHome: $372,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Espresso" — Sabrina CarpenterBest Picture: Anora
2026Age 42 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Scored the 89th-minute winning goal for Bayern Munich in the 2013 UEFA Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund.
- Won eight Bundesliga titles with Bayern Munich, forming part of a dominant era for the club.
- Finished as a runner-up in the 2010 FIFA World Cup with the Netherlands, playing a key role throughout the tournament.
- Became the all-time Dutch top assist provider in the UEFA Champions League.
- Won league titles in four different countries: the Netherlands, England, Spain, and Germany.
Did You Know?
He is famously known for his intense pre-match ritual of eating a specific type of apple sauce.
Robben and fellow winger Franck Ribéry were collectively nicknamed 'Robbery' by Bayern Munich fans.
He founded a professional cycling team, the Dutch WorldTour team now known as Team Visma–Lease a Bike.
Despite his left-footed prowess, Robben is naturally right-handed.
“I always want to win. I’m a bad loser, that’s in my character.”
