RUUD van Nistelrooy's international and club team-mate Rafael van der Vaart is surprised at the striker's decision to end his Holland career.
Van Nistelrooy's retirement means he falls seven goals short of Patrick Kluivert's all-time goalscoring tally of 40.
Van der Vaart, who was presented as a Real player on Tuesday after signing a 13 million euros, five-year deal is disappointed that he will no longer take to the field with Van Nistelrooy in international football.
"It's a pity for us. I knew he was thinking about his future, but I had a feeling that he would continue with the Oranje," Van der Vaart told Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf.
"He wasn't working to become the all-time Dutch leading scorer, and to take that title from Patrick Kluivert.
"If he had have been, he would have stayed on as international. Ruud wanted to win prizes with the team. But he must have had enough."
Van der Vaart, who was presented as a Real player on Tuesday after signing a 13 million euros, five-year deal is disappointed that he will no longer take to the field with Van Nistelrooy in international football.
"It's a pity for us. I knew he was thinking about his future, but I had a feeling that he would continue with the Oranje," Van der Vaart told Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf.
"He wasn't working to become the all-time Dutch leading scorer, and to take that title from Patrick Kluivert.
"If he had have been, he would have stayed on as international. Ruud wanted to win prizes with the team. But he must have had enough."
Copyright (c) Press Association
Related Articles
Watch! Referee scores goal in Holland
Wesley Sneijder reveals amazing custom shirt
