Feyenoord striker Robin van Persie wants to end his playing days on Sunday with dignity as he will be hanging his boots after an 18-year career.
The former Arsenal and Manchester United lethal man will end his career as the top scorer of Netherlands national team, having netted 50 goals in 102 appearances. The forward has also won the FA Cup with the Gunners and the Premier League with United.
“The goal was to go out with honour because football is my passion. I’m glad I made that choice already because I’ve had a whole year to get mentally prepared for retirement,” van Persie told a news conference.
“If I had only taken the decision a few weeks ago, it would have been difficult to let it sink it in such a short period of time.”
The 35-year-old plans to finish in front of family and friends at the Feyenoord Stadium. After, he says he wants to find something to do in the game but not coaching.
“To become a coach means stress. If you do it the way Pep Guardiola does, you’re busy with football day and night. And after three defeats, you are the head of Jut,” he said in a reference to an infamous 19th-century Dutch murderer whose head was kept in a jar and was long on display in an anatomical museum.
The Dutch all-time top goalscorer will quit after Feyenoord play ADO Den Haag.