The Observer:
Ruud van Nistelrooy is apparently eyeing a spot at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. That a man with more than 50 caps for the full national team and a bank balance that reflects a decade at the top of a handsomely paid profession should consider himself right for association with a sporting movement that still has strong echoes of amateurism proves why Dutch football is up there on its own when it comes to self-destruction.
Van Nistelrooy would be eligible for Holland's football team should they qualify, as the rules allow three overaged players to join a squad based on an under-23 team. The ex-Manchester United striker is 30 and his wish to play is a thinly disguised two fingers at the Holland coach, Marco van Basten. The pair fell out during the World Cup, when van Nistelrooy was dropped. He refused to return when recently called up to replace the injured Klaas-Jan Huntelaar.
He has been in excellent form since joining Real Madrid and last week he scored an exquisite chip in their Champions League win in Romania. It was as tasty as anything produced in Europe - and all part of his bid for Beijing?
'Ruud told me he really wants to go to the Olympics with the under-23 team,' said Charles van Commenee, technical director of the Dutch Olympic committee.
'Playing at the Olympic Games has always been Ruud's dream.' It might even come true so long as the football doesn't clash with the high diving.'