Arjen
Robben has been the outstanding player of the tournament for me so far,
and not for the first time I’ve being thinking ‘If only...’ about the
missed opportunity Manchester United had to sign him when he was young.
I
was at the Dutch team’s hotel the other day after they’d beaten
Australia 3-2, to have a coffee with Robben, Robin Van Persie and Nigel
De Jong and it was so refreshing to see the enthusiasm — pure delight —
flowing through that group.
Robben
has scored three goals in two games and RVP and De Jong were waxing
lyrical about his stats, not least the fact that he’s hitting more than
30kph with the ball still under control — then smashing it home after
running half the pitch.

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Man of the moment: Arjen Robben has scored three times for Holland at the World Cup so far

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Centre of attention: Arjen Robben is mobbed by fans as he leaves Holland's hotel on Saturday

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Three and easy: Arjen Robben scores his third goal of the World Cup against Australia on Wednesday
I
know there are fans out there who assume that top players take things
for granted, including their wages, their status, their place at these
big occasions, even success. In most cases I can tell you: rubbish.
Footballers
are just the same as any fan. We grow up daydreaming of one day
playing, perhaps scoring, at a World Cup. I’m sure you’ve imagined it.
And when it happens? ‘It’s still that dream come true,’ Robben told me
the other day. Believe me, he’s living the dream.
He
should have been a United player. He would have fitted in. He had a
brilliant breakthrough season with PSV in 2002-03, a campaign in which
he turned 19, and Sir Alex Ferguson wanted to sign him.

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Back to his best: Robin van Persie has impressed for Holland after struggling for Manchester United

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Dynamic duo: Louis van Gaal (right) seems to be getting the best out of Robin van Persie at the World Cup

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Dutch delight: Rio Ferdinand poses with Holland stars Nigel de Jong (left) and Robin van Persie (right)
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