Robben’s Son in Tears After Netherlands’ World Cup Exit
The Netherlands’ dramatic exit from the 2014 FIFA World Cup at the hands of Argentina in a tense penalty shootout brought heartbreak not only to fans across the nation — but also to Arjen Robben’s young son.
As the Dutch team bowed out in the semi-finals following a goalless draw and subsequent 4-2 loss on penalties, emotions ran high in the stands. Among those most visibly affected was Robben’s son, Luka, who broke down in tears while being comforted by his mother, Bernadien, in the stadium.
The image of Luka weeping captured the raw emotion of the evening. The Bayern Munich winger was seen trying to console his son after the match, but the disappointment was too much for the young supporter. According to reports, Luka was so upset that he refused to speak to his father, heartbroken over the team’s failure to reach the final.
Robben, who had been a standout performer for the Netherlands throughout the tournament, was visibly dejected after the defeat. The experienced forward now turns his focus to helping the Oranje regroup and end their campaign on a positive note in the third-place play-off against Brazil.
A victory over the host nation could offer a small measure of consolation—not only for Robben and his teammates but perhaps also for Luka, whose tears echoed the pain of millions of Dutch fans around the world.
