Robin van Persie (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈrɔbɪn fɑn ˈpɛrsi] ( listen); born 6 August 1983) is a Dutch professional footballer who plays as a striker for Manchester United and is the captain of the Netherlands national team. He is a youth product of Feyenoord.[3]Having joined Arsenal in 2004, Van Persie became the club captain on 16 August 2011, one year before he joined rivalsManchester United.[4][5] He is recognised as one of the best strikers in the world.[6][7] His playing style and ability have drawn comparison to Dutch legend Marco van Basten.[8][9]
The son of two artists, Van Persie was encouraged to follow in his parents' footsteps,[10] but he instead preferred football and joined SBV Excelsior's youth squad. He made his breakthrough at another hometown club Feyenoord, where he spent three seasons and won the 2002 UEFA Cup.[11] He was named the Dutch Football Talent of the Year for the 2001–02 season. Disagreements with manager Bert van Marwijk culminated in a change of club and Van Persie moved to Premier League side Arsenal for £2.75 million in 2004 as a long-term replacement for Dennis Bergkamp.[12][13] He won the FA Community Shield and the FA Cup in his first season with the London club but did not win another major trophy for the rest of his eight-year spell at Arsenal. After joining Manchester United in 2012, Van Persie won the Premier League title in his first season at Old Trafford and finished as the league's top scorer with 26 goals. Van Persie has been named Premier League Player of the Month five times. In 2013, he was ranked 11th in The Guardian newspaper's list of the 100 best players in the world.[14]
Van Persie was a Dutch youth international, having represented the Netherlands under-17, under-19 and under-21 sides. He made his senior international debut in 2005 in a friendly match against Romania. One month later, he scored his first senior international goal in a 4–0 win over Finland. Van Persie has 96 caps and has scored 49 goals for the Netherlands, making him their top scorer of all time.[15][16] He has represented his country at the 2006, 2010 and 2014 FIFA World Cups, and the 2008and 2012 UEFA European Championships.
The son of two artists, Van Persie was encouraged to follow in his parents' footsteps,[10] but he instead preferred football and joined SBV Excelsior's youth squad. He made his breakthrough at another hometown club Feyenoord, where he spent three seasons and won the 2002 UEFA Cup.[11] He was named the Dutch Football Talent of the Year for the 2001–02 season. Disagreements with manager Bert van Marwijk culminated in a change of club and Van Persie moved to Premier League side Arsenal for £2.75 million in 2004 as a long-term replacement for Dennis Bergkamp.[12][13] He won the FA Community Shield and the FA Cup in his first season with the London club but did not win another major trophy for the rest of his eight-year spell at Arsenal. After joining Manchester United in 2012, Van Persie won the Premier League title in his first season at Old Trafford and finished as the league's top scorer with 26 goals. Van Persie has been named Premier League Player of the Month five times. In 2013, he was ranked 11th in The Guardian newspaper's list of the 100 best players in the world.[14]
Van Persie was a Dutch youth international, having represented the Netherlands under-17, under-19 and under-21 sides. He made his senior international debut in 2005 in a friendly match against Romania. One month later, he scored his first senior international goal in a 4–0 win over Finland. Van Persie has 96 caps and has scored 49 goals for the Netherlands, making him their top scorer of all time.[15][16] He has represented his country at the 2006, 2010 and 2014 FIFA World Cups, and the 2008and 2012 UEFA European Championships.