Roy Makaay rates as one of European football’s most prolific strikers of recent times, with a total of 256 goals in Spain’s La Liga, the Bundesliga in Germany and the Dutch Eredivisie. He reached a personal zenith in 2003, when he claimed the Golden Shoe as the continent’s leading scorer with 29 goals in the Spanish top flight. At the end of last term, Makaay brought down the curtain on his illustrious career, which for all his success at club level, never included a run-out at the FIFA World Cup™.
In the build-up to the quarter-finals in South Africa, FIFA.com spoke to the 35-year-old about his impressions of the tournament so far, the best forwards at the finals, and who he is backing to win the trophy.
FIFA.com: Roy, you’re certain to be following the action at the FIFA World Cup, but where from?
Roy Makaay: At the moment, I’m watching the matches at a theme park in Germany, where I’m taking a few days’ vacation with my family. From the quarter-finals onwards, I’ll be watching at home in the Netherlands.
What’s your assessment of the tournament so far?
The tournament’s not really caught fire yet. We’ve had a couple of terrific games, but quite a few poor ones too. But I think it’s beginning to change now we’re in the knockout stages, and the games will be increasingly attractive.
