Van Nistelrooy ends Netherlands career

Ruud van Nistelrooy has ended his international career, the Royal Netherlands Football Association said on Monday.

'Too tough'
The 32-year-old striker has told national team coach Bert van Marwijk he will no longer be available for selection, having decided he cannot perform to his best for both club and country. The Real Madrid CF forward is quoted as saying: "After studying the schedules of Real Madrid and the Dutch team, I realised that playing for both sides would mean too tough a physical challenge for me. So I have made this decision. I am taking no chances, and after an enjoyable [UEFA] EURO [2008™] I can look back with a good feeling."

Prolific contribution
Van Nistelrooy scored 33 goals in 64 games for the Oranje following his debut in November 1998. The former FC Den Bosch, SC Heerenveen, PSV Eindhoven and Manchester United FC player missed UEFA EURO 2000™ with a knee injury, but scored four goals at the next UEFA European Championship in Portugal. He then netted once at the 2006 FIFA World Cup before two strikes in what would be his farewell tournament in Austria and Switzerland.

Van Marwijk regret
Van Nistelrooy's retirement has come as a surprise to new Netherlands coach Van Marwijk, who succeeded Marco van Basten last month. "I regret that I can't use his quality and experience, but I wish him all the best," he said. The Oranje play their first match under Van Marwijk, a Moscow friendly against Guus Hiddink's Russia, on 20 August. Van Nistelrooy has hit 41 Primera División goals in 61 games since joining Madrid from Manchester United two summers ago.