July 2020

Rob Rensenbrink, born in Amsterdam, was a Dutch footballer who played as attacker. Despite being born in Amsterdam he never played for Netherlands giant Ajax. Rob started his career with other Amsterdam club DWS. DWS back-then competed in Eredivisie, first division in Netherlands football. A club who is now in 6 tier of Dutch football was a regular first division club in 60s. One year before Rensenbrink started his senior career they even won a league title. After being a part of DWS for four seasons Rob moved to Belgium where he will spent majority of his career. There he played for two big clubs: Club Brugge and Anderlecht. Especially worth mentioning is his period in Anderlecht. Belgian club was one of the best clubs in Europe at that time. He stayed there for nine seasons and won many trophies. He enjoyed his greatest club successes as they won two league titles, four Belgian cups, UEFA Cup Winners Cup two times and same as that UEFA Supercup titles. Rob was one of the best club players contributing with more then 200 goals. As a many other European players Rob also moved to America at the end of his career. In North American Soccer League Dutch footballer played for Portland Timbers. There he competed with other former colleagues from national team like: Cruyff, Krol, Rijsbergen, Neeskens and van Beveren. Portland was out of NASL in a regular part of the season and Rob left the club. Dutchman played one more season in France second division with Toulouse. Rob didn't played much but club won league title and gained a promotion to the first division.

Rob Rensenbrink was part of a great Dutch football team from 70s. He was World Cup runner-up in 1974 and 1978 plus third placed on EURO championship in 1976. Rob played great in both WCs in which he nation reached finals and was in the team of the tournament in both editions. He is most know for hitting the post in last minute of 1978 WC finals regular time. A matter of centimeters was all that prevented the Netherlands lifting the trophy.

A prolific goalscorer is UEFA Cup Winners Cup all time top scorer with 25 goals, once top scorer of Belgium first division, 1978 WC most assists... In 1978 Rensenbrink scored a landmark goal- 1000th in World Cup history. He is choose as Anderlecht greatest foreign player. And many many more.

He will be remembered as a very good dribbler, a cool finisher and as a great assister.

Rensenbrink died earlier this year do to a muscular disease.

ROB RENSENBRINK CAREER: