Royston Drenthe, the former Everton and Real Madrid star, has officially retired from football at the age of 36. The announcement comes after Drenthe was deemed surplus to requirements at Dutch club Kozakken Boys.

Rise to Fame and International Success

Drenthe gained recognition as part of the Netherlands Under-21 side that won the Euro's in 2007. He played a crucial role in beating England en route to the final and was named Player of the Tournament.

Plans for the Future

While Drenthe admits that accepting the end of his football career is difficult, he has already begun planning his next steps. He expressed his interest in working in technical policy rather than becoming a coach and revealed that he is focused on working in TV, with exciting projects on the horizon.

A Tumultuous Career and Off-Pitch Antics

Drenthe's football journey took him to 15 different clubs across England, Holland, Spain, Turkey, Russia, and the United Arab Emirates. Some of his most notable spells were with Real Madrid, Everton, Reading, and Sparta Rotterdam. However, it was his off-pitch antics that often made headlines.

Throughout his career, Drenthe pursued various other interests, including being a rapper, actor, TV pundit, healthcare worker, and fashion shopkeeper. He openly admitted that his party lifestyle hindered his early football career and that he was not mentally prepared to be a professional athlete.

A Memorable Time at Real Madrid

Drenthe had the opportunity to play alongside football stars like Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema during his time at Real Madrid. However, his Madrid spell was followed by a challenging period at Russian side Alania Vladikavkaz, where he resorted to drinking vodka on the team bus to cope with boredom.

A Surprise Acting Role and Bond Speculation

In a surprising turn of events, Drenthe was named as a potential candidate to succeed Daniel Craig as James Bond. This speculation arose due to his previous acting role as a gangster in the Dutch crime drama Mocro Maffia in 2021.

Royston Drenthe's retirement marks the end of a colorful and eventful football career. As he embarks on his new ventures, fans will eagerly await his future projects in the world of TV and beyond.