From the Wing to the Wall: Arjen Robben Rises in FIP World Padel Rankings

Arjen Robben, the Dutch football legend, has made an unexpected sporting comeback — this time not on a football pitch but on a padel court. The former Bayern Munich and Netherlands star is officially ranked 1,972nd in the FIP World Padel Rankings after winning a match at a FIP tournament in the Netherlands. That victory earned him three FIP points, enough to enter the global standings and produce one of the most mind-bending stats in padel right now. Robben, with his modest tally, is technically closer to the world No. 3 duo than they are to catching the top-ranked pair. Franco Stupaczuk and Juan Lebrón, who occupy the No. 3 position, average 8,550 points each. But sitting at the summit are Arturo Coello and Agustín Tapia, boasting an astonishing 20,000 points apiece — a gap of 11,450 points between the top two duos. By comparison, Robben is “only” 8,547 points away from that No. 3 spot. While the statistic says little about Robben’s padel prowess (though credit where it’s due), it perfectly underscores the utter dominance of Coello and Tapia, as well as Alejandro Galán and Federico Chingotto, who remain firmly in second place. For Robben, though, this isn’t about numbers — it’s about passion. The 40-year-old has long been known for his relentless drive and love for competition. After retiring from professional football in 2021, Robben left behind a glittering legacy. Over his two-decade career, he played for some of Europe’s greatest clubs — including Chelsea, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich — and became a legend with his trademark cutting-in move from the right wing. At Bayern, he was part of a golden era, winning eight Bundesliga titles and the 2013 UEFA Champions League, where his last-minute goal in the final sealed victory against Borussia Dortmund. Robben also earned 96 caps for the Netherlands, helping them reach the 2010 World Cup final and the 2014 World Cup semi-finals.