Now 33, and with over 90 caps for the Netherlands, and now entering his 9th season with Bayern Munich, it's easy to think that Arjen Robben has been around forever.
The Dutch winger's has been terrorising defences in the Bundesliga and beyond for well over a decade now.
It's easy to forget then, that the first time we really sat up and took notice of Robben was his electric performances at Euro 2004, knowing he was on his way to the Premier League and Chelsea's Abramovich revolution.
While his partership was Damien Duff initially was one of the most exciting things in the league and he won two titles, his star faded quickly enough at Chelsea and he moved on to Real Madrid after just three seasons.
In a brilliant letter to his younger self in the Players Tribune, he reflects more fondly than you would imagine about his time in London, and specifically about his relationship and admiration for his former captain, John Terry.
What can a Dutch winger learn from an English centre back?
Everything.
The most important thing though, is what it takes to be a captain and a leader at a club. He’ll be someone you can talk to, whether about football or anything else. He’ll be someone who gives advice, who encourages you. Learn as much from him as you can. How he gives everything for the club. How he gives everything for the team — from the first to the last minute. Out there, he’s taking care of every team member. And he does the same off the pitch as well.
I’m not sure you’ll know it then, just how much John influenced you. So really take in those moments with him. You won’t play with anyone quite like him again
It is amazing to hear a former teammate (other than Frank Lampard) speak so highly of Terry, who's leadership record is often overlooked in his now almost comic reputation for self importance and self indulgence.
But he was Mr. Chelsea, and it seems that's something that really struck a chord for one teammate, at least. Maybe Arjen didn't bring his girlfriend to the club much.
