Full Name: Rutgerus Johannes Martinius Ruud van Nistelrooy Nick Name: 'Van The Man' Birthplace: 1st Jul 1976, Oss, Holland Place Of Upbringing: Geffen, Holland Nationality: Netherlands Shoe Size: 10½ Brother: Ron Sister: Anneke Marital Status: Married to Leontien Slaats Childhood Hero: Marco van Basten Favourite Striker: Shevchenko Favourite Author: John Grisham *********************************************************** I wear the number 17 for Real Madrid and used to be number 9 for Holland.FC Den Bosch days I began my career with FC Den Bosch in the Dutch Second Division in the 1993/94 season. After four seasons in the lower Leagues, I was bought by top flight club Heerenveen in 1997, and went on to score 13 goals in 30 appearances in 1997/98. My strike rate caught the eye of PSV Eindhoven who swooped me, signing me on my 22nd birthday in 1998 for £4.2 million, a record between two Dutch clubs.After scoring my first goal for PSV against Heerenveen, I ended my first season in Eindhoven, 1998/99, as top scorer in the Dutch League with my 31 goals. I made my international debut on 18 November 1998 in a 1-1 draw with Germany, and finished second in the European Golden Boot rankings. Scoring goals for PSV My Knee Injury After having scored 29 goals in 1999/2000, I picked up a knee injury in a friendly against Silkeborg on 6 March 2000. The next month, a proposed move to Manchester United fell through because I could not complete a medical at United, causing the deal to be postponed.Days later, I collapsed in training with PSV Eindhoven and damaged my cruciate ligament.My season was over, but I was still voted Dutch player of the year for the second successive term by my colleagues, and again finished runner-up in the European Golden Boot charts.After a year of rehabilitation, I made my comeback by scoring twice in a Reserve match against Sparta Rotterdam on 1 March 2001. My first team return came two days later, as a substitute against Roda JC. I Signed For Manchester United finally on 23rd April 2001, for £19 million. It was almost exactly twelve months to the day after his original move to Old Trafford had collapsed.From the moment I first put on a United shirt I couldn't stop scoring. After scoring in pre-season friendlies and the Charity Shield clash with Liverpool it quickly became obvious I felt right at home.In my Old Trafford debut I got two against Fulham, goals followed against Newcastle, Spurs then a double at home to Deportivo. I got my first hat-trick for the reds at home to Southampton in the 6-1 win as well as scoring twice against Boavista, Spurs, Sunderland. Vital goals also came in European away trips to Bayern Munich and Deportivo. A highlight was the FA Cup 3rd Round tie away to Aston Villa. With us (United) 2-0 down, I came off the bench to score twice in two minutes and seal a memorable 3-2 victory.I can score tap-ins, one-on-ones with the keeper, headers and shots all with equal ease. I make it look easy but it isn't.I signed a three year contract with Real Madrid, feel right at home, and love the atomsphere. .. ..
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