Former Real Madrid winger opens up on his struggles, Barcelona’s interest and living with Atletico fans | OneFootball

Royston Drenthe had a promising start to his football career, but his journey took unexpected turns after joining Real Madrid.

At just 20 years old, he had already won the European Under-21 Championship with the Netherlands. Following that success, he was overwhelmed by constant phone calls from football executives.

Reflecting on his time, he remembered that both Predrag Mijatovic from Real Madrid and Joan Laporta from Barcelona were eager to sign him, but Drenthe had no doubts—he decided to join Los Blancos.

“I was 20 years old, and I had just won the European Under-21 Championship with the Netherlands, and after winning it, I went to my country, to Suriname,” he remembered (h/t RM4 Arab).

“It was crazy there. My phone was ringing every day, and Mijatovic and Laporta were calling me. But I knew that I wanted to sign for Real Madrid,” he added.

A failed attempt

Royston Drenthe could never settle at Real Madrid. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

In 2007, Drenthe moved to Real Madrid. He was given a fair number of opportunities in his first season, regularly featuring in the squad. However, as Marcelo’s role at the club grew, Drenthe’s playing time began to decrease.

His early days in Madrid felt like a dream, and he believed he had everything he could ask for. But looking back, he realised that his youthful excitement clouded his judgement.

Settling in Spain came with some surprises. He purchased a home in Villaviciosa de Odon, unaware that the area had strong ties to Atletico Madrid.

“I later bought a house in Villaviciosa de Odon, and I didn’t know it was an area affiliated with Atletico Madrid. Almost all the friends I met there were Atletico Madrid fans.

“The first few months in Madrid? I thought I was at the peak of my life, that I had everything. I was very young. But I was wrong,” he added.

Now at peace

Royston Drenthe now has a stable life. (Photo by Jasper Juinen/Getty Images)

Despite speculation that he could be loaned out, Drenthe still played in 15 of Real Madrid’s first 18 matches during his second season.

However, he never managed to secure a consistent spot in the starting eleven. In 2012, he left Madrid permanently, and from there, his career took a downward trajectory.

The promise he once showed faded, and he struggled to find stability in the clubs he played for afterwards.

Now, at 37 years old, Drenthe sees life differently. No longer in the spotlight of professional football, he has found greater fulfilment.

“Now, at 37 years old, I am living a much better moment than when I was a player, and I feel much more at ease with my children,” he concluded.