Ruud van Nistelrooy Biography: Age, Wife, Children, Net Worth, Height, Career, Club

Ruud van Nistelrooy ranks as a sharp Dutch football manager and ex-striker, famed for his deadly finishing and cool head in the box that lit up top leagues across Europe.

From smashing records at PSV and Manchester United to grabbing La Liga crowns with Real Madrid, he mixed raw goal hunger with smart positioning, earning spots in FIFA’s elite lists and club halls of fame.

Profile

• Full Name: Rutgerus Johannes Martinus van Nistelrooij
• Stage Name: Ruud van Nistelrooy
• Born: July 1, 1976
• Age: 49 years old
• Birthplace: Oss, Netherlands
• Nationality: Dutch
• Occupation: Football Manager and Former Professional Player
• Height: 6 feet 2 inches
• Parents: Tiny van Nistelrooij and Mrs. van Nistelrooij
• Siblings: Two
• Spouse: Leontine Slaats
• Children: Moa Annette and Liam
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $30 million USD

Early Life and Education

Ruud van Nistelrooy Was born on July 1, 1976, in Oss, Netherlands, the eldest in a family that backed his drive from day one.

His dad, Tiny van Nistelrooij, played local ball and worked the land, while his mum kept the home steady, raising Ruud alongside sister Anneke and brother Ron in a close-knit setup.

School took a back seat to pitches, though he wrapped basics in Oss before full-time pro paths; no big uni push, just hands-on growth through youth ranks at Den Bosch.

His Dutch roots run deep, with a quiet Catholic faith guiding him steady.

Career

Ruud van Nistelrooy broke through at Den Bosch in 1993 as a teen midfielder turned striker, bagging 17 goals over four years before a €360,000 switch to Heerenveen in 1997, where he netted 13 in one season.

That pulled PSV’s eye—he signed for them on his 22nd birthday in 1998 for a Dutch-record £4.2 million, firing 62 goals in 67 games across two Eredivisie wins, two top scorer crowns, and a UEFA Cup push, plus his Oranje debut in 1998 with 35 goals in 70 caps total.

A knee blow-up scuppered a 2000 Man United move, but after rehab, he joined the Reds in 2001 for £19 million, hitting 150 goals in 219 outings over five years—Premier League and Golden Boot in 2002/03, FA Cup and League Cup too, plus Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year twice.

He jumped to Real Madrid in 2006 for €14 million, claiming La Liga twice, the Supercopa, and Pichichi with 25 goals in 2006/07 despite knocks.

Hamburg grabbed him in 2010 for a half-season stint, then Malaga in 2011 wrapped his playing days in 2012 at 35.

Post-retirement, he coached PSV youth from 2016, took senior reins in 2022 for Eredivisie second place, KNVB Cup, and Johan Cruyff Shield wins before quitting over backing issues.

He assisted Netherlands at the 2014 World Cup and Euro 2020, joined Man United staff in 2024 as interim boss with three wins in four, then led Leicester from November 2024 till mutual split in June 2025.

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @rvnistelrooij
• Facebook Handle: Ruud van Nistelrooy
• Twitter Handle: @RvN1776

Personal Life

Ruud van Nistelrooy, 49, is a sharp Dutch football manager and ex-striker.

He tied the knot with longtime partner Leontine Slaats on July 10, 2004, in a low-key family do, and they’ve stayed solid through the moves and ups—welcoming daughter Moa Annette in 2006 and son Liam in 2008, who’s now chasing ball at PSV youth.

A keen hunter and fisher in downtime, he holds Catholic roots close, often chatting faith’s role in keeping him grounded.

At 6 feet 2 inches, he stays fit with runs and gym work, mixing dad duties with that quiet family focus away from the glare.

Net Worth

Ruud van Nistelrooy, is a sharp Dutch football manager and ex-striker. His Net worth sits at about $30 million USD.

That stacks from prime playing paydays at United and Madrid—over $5 million a year at peak—plus endorsements like Nike deals, and now coaching fees from PSV, United, and Leicester stints that hit €6 million annually lately.

Royalties from 300-plus career goals and club perks keep it ticking without big side gigs.