Royston Drenthe
Royston Drenthe, the former Everton and Real Madrid winger, has been hospitalized following a stroke. The 38-year-old suffered the medical emergency last Friday and was swiftly taken to the hospital for treatment. FC De Rebellen, a club with which Drenthe has been associated, released a statement confirming the incident and expressing hope for his recovery.
FC De Rebellen said: “Last Friday, Royston Drenthe suffered a stroke. Drenthe is currently being taken good care of and is in good hands. The team and those involved are hoping for a smooth recovery.”
Drenthe, who gained prominence with his performances for the Dutch side, secured a move to Real Madrid. However, his time at the Santiago Bernabeu was marked by limited game time, prompting a loan move to Everton during the 2011/12 season. Reflecting on his stint at Everton, Drenthe had previously opened up about his relationship with then-manager David Moyes.
Royston Drenthe said: “A lot has been made in the past of my time at the club and the kind of character I was when I joined, and people know all about my relationship with David Moyes – especially while I was a player at Goodison Park. As a 36-year-old, I can understand and appreciate the job he was doing and how I thought back when I was 25 perhaps wasn’t always right. Back then, I was firmly of the belief that Moyes was simply out to prove to the other players that he could get under my skin. We’d argue and I’d just think: ‘What the f***?’ ‘Is he taking the p***?’. And while there are certain occasions where I can say I still feel I was in the right, on the whole I’d say he was. Ultimately, he wanted to get the best out of me as a player, he wanted to help me, I just couldn’t see that at the time. But people change, and I can look back now a lot older and wiser, and I can understand why he did what he did with me.”
After his tenure at Everton, Drenthe’s career saw him play for 12 different teams before retiring from professional football in 2023. Post-retirement, he transitioned into roles as a coach and media pundit in the Netherlands. Drenthe’s journey through football has been marked by both challenges and growth, and his recent health scare has brought an outpouring of support from fans and former teammates alike.
Drenthe’s health update is a reminder of the unpredictable nature of life, even for athletes who once graced the world’s biggest stages. The football community continues to rally around him, hoping for a swift and full recovery.
For ongoing updates about Everton and to listen to related podcasts, visit [Liverpool Echo’s Everton FC section](https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/all-about/everton-fc).
About The Author
