Ruud van Nistelrooy

Rutgerus Johannes Martinus "Ruud" van Nistelrooij (commonly spelled as van Nistelrooy; born 1 July 1976) is a Dutch footballer who plays as a striker for Spanish La Liga club Real Madrid. He is currently the second-highest goalscorer in Champions League history with 60 goals. He is a three-time Champions League top scorer, as well as a top scorer in three different European domestic leagues. Born in Oss, North Brabant, Van Nistelrooy started his p... more

Rutgerus Johannes Martinus "Ruud" van Nistelrooij (commonly spelled as van Nistelrooy; born 1 July 1976) is a Dutch footballer who plays as a striker for Spanish La Liga club Real Madrid. He is currently the second-highest goalscorer in Champions League history with 60 goals. He is a three-time Champions League top scorer, as well as a top scorer in three different European domestic leagues. Born in Oss, North Brabant, Van Nistelrooy started his professional career in 1993 with Dutch second division side Den Bosch, where he was converted from a central defender to centre forward after playing part-time for Nooit Gedacht and Magriet. After netting 12 goals in 31 games in the 1996–97 campaign, he transferred for €360,000 to Heerenveen the next year, and scored 13 goals in 31 matches in his only season with the club. He was then signed by PSV Eindhoven the next season for €6.3 million, a then-record transfer sum between two Dutch teams. He scored 31 goals in 34 matches, the highest season... less