I wouldn’t go as far as to call Bayern Munich star Arjen Robben a horder. After all, my mom still has some of my shiny trophies on display back at my childhood home.
But when it is time to start thinking about life after sport -- for me, that came around age 13 -- Robben has already addressed the issue by looking back.
The Dutch international said Friday he wants to open a private museum in his own home to showcase his trophies and momentos once he hangs up his boots.
Wait. Are we talking about his actual boots?
“There are boots that I have worn at European Championships and World Cups,” Robben told Bild when he described some of the cool stuff that will be on display.
I wonder where all my old football boots are? Mom, do you have any idea? Probably not, considering we call them soccer cleets back in the States.
Robben has also included some of his loved ones in his pursuit of this selfless act.
“When my wife and I are settled in our house, I dream of collecting all my things and building a private museum,” Robben said. “It will be for me, my family and my close friends.”
“I have so many souvenirs – shirts of other players. I kept the ball from the 2013 Champions League final.”
Bayern beat Borussia Dortmund 2-1 and Robben scored the late winner.
Robben, who played for Chelsea and Real Madrid before joining Bayern in 2009, added: “The idea is to pull everything together so that nothing is lost.”
I have a couple of neat certificates to offer to the collection but besides that – and perhaps some smelly shinguards – you’re on your own Robben.
agray@thenational.ae
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