Ruud van Nistelrooy | Full Q&A | Oxford Union

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Ruud van Nistelrooy is a retired professional footballer and current
assistant manager of the Dutch national team. He was a top scorer
in three different competitions, including three times in the UEFA
Champions League, crowned Premier League Player of the Season
in 2003, and is Manchester United's all-time European record
goalscorer. In 2010, he founded his own academy which focuses on
the social development of children and the discovery of their talents.
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[@tcpgblizzard]

I'd kill to have him, in his prime, back at United now. I've never seen a more natural goalscorer in my life; Ruud is a legend!

[@recram16]

+Robin Hood What he did in the Carling Cup final was inexcusable, but he apologised to Fergie. Then the Ronaldo incident, he meant to diss Queiroz and not Ronaldo's dad who passed away. Ruud's better than that, and seems like a decent lad. Rather remember him for all them goals

[@flochforster88]

+tcpgblizzard Did you murder someone and create Marcus Rashford?

[@coby8531]

hi is the legendary striker

[@jackjelf5986]

tcpgblizzard people with low football iq always say 'he only scored tap ins' but people who know and have played football realize you've got to have great instincts to be in the right place right time.

[@jslasher1]

He certainly was a great goalscorer, but, then, those where the good old days at Man U.

[@manchesterfellow]

Ruud seems like a gentleman. He really thought about his answers and gave intelligent insights. He was articulate as well - so much for the stupid footballer stereotype.

[@22grena]

+manchesterfellow The stereotype is unfortunately true in Britain

[@manchesterfellow]

+22grena I think you are being unfair.

[@22grena]

manchesterfellow Ok name me three English footballers who are comparable to Ruud

[@manchesterfellow]

22grena in what regard? I assume you are talking about intelligence? Frank Lampard took a test at mensa and famously got one of the highest scores ever achieved. Le Saux has a degree and Glen Johnson is a Maths boffin. That's just of the top of my head and staying within your limitations of English players.

[@22grena]

manchesterfellow How about actual players and not every person who ever played

[@charlesainscough5529]

ruud van nistelrooy what a fucking legendary player, very well spoken person too.

[@leokorn1629]

"fucking", "very well spoken person".....

[@carrowroads2712]

@@leokorn1629 Aguero miles better

[@cleehomes]

@@carrowroads2712 Aguero never played for a big club so I guess we will never know!

[@NationOfMasturbation]

@@carrowroads2712 who

[@ikilledosama88]

We in "little" Malaga at La Rosaleda have not forgot you Ruud. Thank you for playing for us. A true modern day legend

[@christophekingdom7924]

I used to support MALAGA like a native, I am his forever fan and next year I'm going to spain on vacation and for sure I'll visit your stadium just to see in person where he made history once again.

[@air_mkb]

27:12 when he talks about Ronaldo Nazario. Brilliant.

[@milo2324]

Thanks for writing the time!!! I saw him talking about Ronaldo in Shorts and wanted to see lonher version

[@TMAS01]

I never knew he was so eloquent. Very intelligent man.

[@MeeHandle]

Is he hell....

[@direndogan4567]

If he hadn't had that massive injury when he was playing for PSV he would have been twice the scorer. It's mental, how good was his anticipation, positioning and finishing...

[@mrt445]

He was like Haaland before Haaland.

[@Richardtv1968]

Top goalscorer in the Netherlands, England and in Spain ....absolutely amazing

[@akg1301]

Van Persie Netherlands?

[@raubtierkapitalist9445]

& Germany in Hamburg

[@aliyuisa7805]

@@akg1301 Before V.P's time

[@villeporttila5161]

Less than a minute in and he's already totally rinsed Keown. Good stuff

[@shakeelumar8683]

even as an arsenal fan that was gold

[@mamamaumamam]

@@shakeelumar8683 "Thought you had to be clever to live here." That is the 4th degree burn over there.

[@Eclipse2582]

@@mamamaumamam It’s a great soundbite for the audience, sure, but it is worth remembering that Martin Keown is actually Oxford born and raised.

[@josephm.6453]

the last traditional in the box striker to play football at top level. lewandowski is close to call him a traditional box player but he assists. ruud marked an end to an era

[@uniqIo]

Well said 👏

[@Zakariyeistorres]

Joseph M. Say hello Manuel Gabbiadini 🙌🏿

[@tottirei1]

Joseph M. How bout Pippo Inzaghi???One of the best to lace em up

[@ljay2k12]

Mario Gomez

[@herbangm.naibaho5405]

Lukaku say Hi, but from along distance of level

[@superstarsuj1]

Ruud van nistelrooy is legend !!! I have started watching football because of him...... 1st match I have watch is against arsenal when ruud missed the penalty.... What a golden days.

[@SS-hw8nd]

There's something about dutch people. Van Nistelrooy, Van Persie, Manuel Schenkhuizen, they all have that same kind of rare quality I'm not sure what is. Wise gentlemen, extremely competitive and able. Love to watch them!

[@andreidoanca4262]

I would add to that list the likes of Denis Bergkamp, Arjen Robben and Wesley Snijder...they are indeed competitive personalities and at the same time really down to earth people.

[@alborzajeli768]

Agreed. Dutch people in general seem to be well mannered, soft spoken gentlemen who carry themselves extremely well. Strangely enough, I've yet to meet one I didn't get along with or like.

[@MM-vr8rj]

Seedorf as well. Great man.

[@raraccoon4412]

van djik too

[@almawalker1432]

Don’t forget Dennis Bergkamp..wish he played for united. Amazing player and personality.

[@gp3646]

I had NO idea he was so well spoken and such a gentleman!

[@shikastormcrow6224]

Ruud...ahh United/Netherlands memories. Such a delight listening to him, he's so light hearted and a joker at heart x'D

[@sandeepg8930]

Top class striker. Top class human being.

[@shivasrinivasan80]

What wonderful praise he gave to R9. Such a clear statement of how amazing Ronaldo aka IL Fenomeno was. The power, skill and pace made him the greatest striker to grace the game.

[@jonsmith7396]

World class player makes my all time United team

[@blademanx]

Intelligent player. If you never saw him play live you missed out. Young strikers could learn a lot.

[@ahmedbdair4748]

when he spoke about Milan I was about to start crying

[@endlessacrificedsons]

I don't know why but even I got tears in my eyes hearing about "that" Milan side...

[@jejjkess8793]

The best team ever.

[@honigson8776]

Legendary era

[@readventurekids]

RvN comes across very well. Seems like an intelligent, down to earth guy. On a side note the interviewer strikes a great many similarities with Will from 'The Inbetweeners'.

[@sab7786]

so honoured to have watched him play at Old Trafford. He was such a great player for United. This really shows such a class act that he is.

[@VillaBoys123]

Truly there are, unless you are a Madrid boy of course...

[@alborzajeli768]

@@VillaBoys123 I'm a long time "Madrid boy" and I frkn love and adore this man also. He came to us in 07 when we really needed a proper goal scorer and he delivered us 27 league goals and a title to go along with it. We would have NEVER won anything that season if it wasn't for all the clutch goals and moments this man produced. I and most other Madrid fans are forever grateful to him, and will not soon forget him and the legacy he left at our club.

[@pcgamerzzzchannel3407]

@@alborzajeli768 real couldnt win la liga for 3 years with Zidane and Ronaldo crazy shit, ruud came in the right moment , to bad life is short he was plagued with injuries in his last 2 years, if it wasnt his age he could bring more la liga titles.

[@foadghavami2004]

This man is smart, i think whatever career he would choose, he would become well known.

[@unitedman1423]

Ruud is one of the greatest ever at United. *Listen and grasp the praise and insight he gives concerning Louis Van Gaal.* The unpopular TRUTH is there and Ruud shows both sides of the argument regarding play style and why Van Gaal can succeed. #SupportLVG

[@nurilha]

Absolute legend - from a Liverpool fan.

[@jayrun4758]

100% one of the best strikers in the premier leagues history liverpool fan myself

[@d1want34]

I liked how Ruud explains about the mindset of LVG, sadly there's simply not enough time for him to achieve that

[@TheMancalorian]

Couldnt agree more he still one of my fave players and a legend, still got iconic red shirt with his name 'Ruud' on the back

[@nathantcheumegam3571]

His English is really good.

[@lordpembridge303]

I've noticed Dutch people always seem to speak good English, same with Scandinavian and German people. Maybe because English is closely related to all their respective languages.

[@basketvic99]

@@lordpembridge303 I'm Dutch and we get English in school quite early on (I started at 9 or 10 I believe). Also, all English TV and Films aren't voiced in Dutch (like they do in Germany), we just get English with Dutch subs which I think also really helps.

[@nichonr95]

@@lordpembridge303 english isnt closely related to any of them. They are all germanic languages, at least german and the scandinavian languages. English is more a mix of latin and the old british languages.

[@giespouwen8091]

From all the languages, dutch is the closest related to english there are many words we share just the pronunciation is very different

[@giespouwen8091]

@@nichonr95 btw english is a germanic language

[@united3689]

This guy is so smart! Pleasure listening to this United legend

[@RifatRahmanRimon]

5:33 "You need to win a UCL to be there" RVN is savage

[@imeanitsallrightlike3684]

they might win it this year yk. i hope they dont but still.

[@RifatRahmanRimon]

@@imeanitsallrightlike3684 I actually want them to win for Pep. Even though I'm a Madrid fan, I always admired Pep and his genius. Since, Madrid are out, I want City to win for Pep. He should've won the Quadruple this year though.

[@foadghavami2004]

One of the Great Knights of glorious era of our beloved Manchester United! Always smart with a view & vision.

[@johnbatziolas780]

Netherlands and my country Greece are the biggest shocks not to qualify for UEFA Euro 2016, I know how Ruud and the Dutch are feeling, It Sucks. Especially straight of Good World Cup 2014 as well. Inspiring interview Ruud.

[@MarmiteCrumpets]

What a thoroughly likeable man with a great outlook.

[@Rajiv-Word]

Wow! Great discussion. What a legend, Ruud!

[@Tubingonline1]

This is really great. Thanks Oxford, for such a great interview.

[@50kk4]

52:15 yep, that's enough *types Paul Scholes in search field* Great player, Loved to watch him as I was growing up. Even loved reading his name when a match didn't go on television. Proper striker.

[@EternalMelody]

"His natural ability was far beyond anything I've played with" he said regarding O Fenômeno

[@NazriB]

Lies again? Module UDK

[@abdisalaamabdi8422]

Defo one of the best strikers the premier league has ever seen

[@brianpoole4369]

RUDD....united in his DNA....legend at old trafford, forever remembered!!

[@Hellyeah_studio]

When I was a kid, me and my father love to watching him plays for United. I feels like he is scoring in every games. Great striker

[@odilkodirov586]

I've never thought of him to be so intellegent and gentleman. My big respect to a geniuos stricker and a man!

[@Assassino167]

Nice to see Will from the inbetweeners is doing alright for himself, surprised he's a city fan though...

[@KSIJuniorMajeed]

Lewis Timms loooooool

[@stephenuytterhaegen9705]

A real men. What a player. What a great time

[@dennishendrikx3228]

Today Ruud is the PSV U21 coach, those kids get training from Ruud van Nistelrooy, how awesome is that. In The Netherlands a few U21 teams play in the second league, confusingly called Eerste Divisie.

[@roberthayes9842]

What a player, superb master

[@kwaser2000]

he was my best player in Real Madrid at time ... and he is one of my favorite players of all time .

[@wassk1501]

Was my favourite striker in football while he was at United, will always remember the run from half way to scoring past the keeper

[@demissiejabo166]

You the reason why I am the fan of ManUted. You are the best striker.

[@ftsiempre]

Thank you for sharing it, It'd be great to have subtitles but anyway.

[@IrishBeerCan]

Interesting to hear his respective on Ronaldo (the original). Always felt Ronaldo was the most devastating striker I've ever seen, even ahead of Messi/CR7.

[@puma8242]

Another chance for students to meet one of their favourite celebrities. Awesome!

[@nistelrooy1990]

My favorite player :) Ruud for ever ;)

[@GafferSamz]

Sounds so honest

[@kwaser2000]

He is a definition of decisiveness in football.

[@worthalook4870]

Top class striker - scores amazing amount of goals for United

[@Marco-jo7vc]

Every time I see past generation players showing superb appreciation to Brazilian Ronaldo , this made me know more and more how that guy was fuckin good

[@Eclipse2582]

He was nicknamed "The Phenomenon" for a reason! 😉

[@karthiknistelrooy23]

THE BEST PENALTY BOX PREDATOR OF MAN UNITED ERA. MY ALL TIME FAVORITE STRIKER..

[@k.ashar91]

Been a fan of this guy since 2001. Still my favorite player of all time!

[@FranciscoTorres-bh2om]

Ruud you are my hero im from Chile

[@rogda123]

absolute legend

[@silentalpha7721]

Absolute legend!! remember how beckham jump on him after ruud scored?

[@reneevanes6348]

I think of all foreign nationalities , the Dutch where/are the best 'game/team reinforcement ' signings are equally number one's together with the French. Meaning, for example, if you are a average EPL team and have a limited budget and half way season you need a game/team improving reinforcement and you're looking abroad, I think your the safest with spending your money by signing a skilled dutchman. Mostly because of his working attitude multiple usage on different positions. Look at some signings past history. Van der Vaart, Bergkamp, Kuytt, Stam, van Persie, Robben, Hasselbaink, Van Bronckhorst, etc.etc.

[@Angela-Aberdeen]

Yes in Italy we pay attention to the defense part of the tattic game to play but that AC Milan wasn't defensiveness at all, Kakà, Pirlo, Rui Costa and Crespo, so underrated player but always in goal!

[@zizoucris10]

What a time for strikers! R9, Rivaldo, Raul, Henry, Trezeguet, Vieri, Crespo! So many

[@rogermoore3991]

Ruud was my childhood hero ❤️

[@hafizuddinpeace7785]

That’s i love him play. He is professional and nice

[@jagjeet9046]

One word : Legend

[@anthonyegizi5857]

natural striker. one of the best strikers ever.

[@yan.weather]

Actually pleasantly surprised by the eloquent nature of Ruud given his on field warrior demeanour

[@kingrendal]

Shame on the Oxford Union posting false copyright claims on other KZbin channels. #EthicsMatter #FreeSpeechMatters

[@Richardtv1968]

Ruud did not say Paul Scholes was the greatest player he played along with!! He said Paul was the one he valued the most in all factors. He said the Brazilian Ronaldo was the best

[@broxy2007]

Obviously Ronaldo fenomeno was the best he played with

[@daryontube]

I don’t understand where this is coming from, about Real Madrid fans booing him. I was there, watching him play and we loved him so much for being such an excelled striker, as far as I can tell, probably one of the best 9’s in our history. I don’t remember anyone booing him at all, maybe it is due to that fact that the Bernabéu audience always demands a 120% effort from our players and at some point they will request that with whistles (it shocks most players at first), but Ruud was definitely one of our favorites, I wish we could have him now!

[@elfuego2837]

VAN THE MAN IS BACK🔥🔥🔥

[@arjunkchandrasekar7966]

12:02 the interviewer completely misrepresents what Rio said

[@akshaykocharekar1295]

rudd❤ Class player Class person..

[@TheMongolat]

+Akshay Kocharekar Paul Rudd u meen?

[@fredrickchimphonda5565]

classy guy. Legend

[@jimmykarma5771]

Brilliant interview 😊

[@ronaldo3436]

Amazing stuff. Thank you for your time in Madrid Ruud! haha Maybe you'll be an assistant manager in the future? :)

[@jamess6787]

That penalty wasn't to end our long unbeaten run, that ended (after 49 games) at Old Trafford (thanks to some dubious refereeing) in 2004. But the penalty miss was during our season that we were unbeaten, so an important moment in our run

[@mankydave67]

What a man, what a player!! Has anyone noticed those little linguistic nuances he uses??? A very clever guy. 150 goals in 5 seasons is ridiculous!!!

[@johnjlindsley3686]

Rio did not quite state that the current financial situation in football is all fair game and fair play, as the interviewer claims.

[@toyloss]

John J Lindsley the interviewer was just being stupid

[@tobyalozie5034]

that is exactly what I was thinking

[@BALBIRSINGH-qf5ft]

Thanks. Thanks. Thanks. Thanks.

[@techmasteradmin8235]

True goal scoring machine #legend

[@zacharydavidvbangura9873]

This guy was under appreciated

[@richardmullins1883]

He will be one of the best coaches on record

[@torogenghis1609]

"But you need the champions league to be in there.." That's hit the target

[@slickwillywize]

to have this man back at Utd in his prime...What a Striker...Through on goal one on one...you pick Ronaldo, Batigol, Greaves, Romario, Der Bomber, Shearer, Eusebio, Lineker and Ruud

[@futureskipper4616]

Van Basten obviously.

[@turvus2]

32:36 love Ruud"s mentality.

[@coenpietersen272]

37:02 Paul Scholes was there as well. Looking straight at you!

[@hellohello-in8ik]

when Ruud played for us we always knew he would score goals, for me the best striker you can have in your club , the best finisher , our Manchester United legend the best 🙌😈😈😈😈

[@kchmyy]

Im liverpool fan. This man is so smart.

[@Yo12327]

My fav striker of all

[@DranganT]

Not man united, not Real Madrid, but Oxford. True finisher.

[@Id0N0tH4te]

He would do as incredible politician. Expertly dodgeing questions that are critical/difficult.

[@Legenda20SLO]

My favorite striker of all time! :)

[@adriatikkarrabecaj118]

He’s really good but not like Henry

[@Legenda20SLO]

@@adriatikkarrabecaj118 Unlike Henry Ruud was a complete striker. Someone below already said "natural goalscorer". Henry started his career on the wing.

[@futureskipper4616]

Reasonable close to all time legend Van Basten.

[@paumzito]

What a man!

[@KNDaedX]

Van The Man

[@n__167]

Crazy too think we went from Rudd to Anthony Martial

[@dmanc1able]

the interviewer definetly got bullied in school.

[@zeze4605]

😂📚👁

[@chrisbailey4719]

legend

[@Jay7MU]

RUUUUUUUUUUUD!

[@gavink2697]

And now Ronaldo is a cunt to Bale. Seems everyone in football is a douche.

[@neliorosa6357]

Jogava muito. Mas eu sou fã do Van Baster .🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷

[@Zacktse]

Love you Ruud