Robben, 37, quit football in 2019 but returned to play for his boyhood club FC Groningen last year; If Netherlands boss Frank de Boer calls, then "I'd say yes" to a Euros squad spot, reveals the winger; De Boer on Monday poured cold water over the idea
Monday 10 May 2021 16:04, UK
Arjen Robben says he would join up with Frank de Boer's squad for this summer's European Championships if he received a call up from the Netherlands manager.
The former PSV, Chelsea, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich playmaker quit football in 2019 but re-joined Eredivisie club FC Groningen in 2020, the side with which he started his playing career.
Robben, 37, has missed the majority of this season with an injury but made his first start for seven months against FC Emmen on Sunday, and made two assists in the 4-0 win.
The 2010 World Cup finalist retired from playing for the Netherlands in 2017 after winning 96 caps and scoring 37 goals for his country.
But Robben says he would not turn down an opportunity to feature at the Euros - despite acknowledging that he is realistic about his chances of being selected by De Boer.
When asked how he would respond to a call-up, Robben told ESPN in the Netherlands: "Then I would go. It would be fun, but you must be realistic, very fit, and know you can contribute to the team.
"After all, the Oranje [the Dutch national team] is a step up.
"Going to Euro 2020 is somewhere in my wildest dreams, but you must be very careful because I can already see tomorrow's headlines.
"Right now I'm not saying I want to go, but if he [De Boer] should call, I'd say yes."
However, De Boer on Monday poured cold water over the idea.
"Never say never, but at this moment I don't see it happening", the former Ajax Amsterdam and Barcelona defender told Dutch news agency ANP.
"I am very happy for Arjen that he is playing again, but we have to put things in perspective. He hasn't played a complete game since 2019."
De Boer names his final Euro 2020 squad on May 28 before the Netherlands take on Scotland and Georgia in friendlies prior to their tournament campaign, which gets underway on June 13 against Ukraine.
Virgil van Dijk remains a doubt for the tournament with the Liverpool centre-back continuing his recovery from cruciate ligament damage which has seen him miss the majority of this season.
