A man shaving his undercheek using a straight razor.

Closeup of a disposable razor shaving stubble off the underside of a chin. Note the direction of razor travel is the same as the direction of the stubble hairs or 'grain'.

Shaving is the removal of hair, by using a razor or any other kind of bladed implement, to slice it down to the level of the skin. Shaving is most commonly practiced by men to remove their facial hair and by women to remove their leg and underarm hair. A man is called clean-shaven if he has had his beard entirely removed.^[1]

Both men and women sometimes shave their undercheek hair, chest hair, abdominal hair, leg hair, underarm hair, pubic hair or any other bodily hair.^[2] Head shaving is much more common among men. It is often associated with religious practice, the armed forces and some competitive sports such as swimming, running and extreme sports. Head shaving has also been used to humiliate, punish and show submission to an authority,^[3] and also as part of a fund-raising effort. The shaving of head hair is also sometimes done by cancer patients when their treatment may result in partial hair loss. It has become common for men with partial male pattern baldness.^{[citation needed]}

History[link]

Alexander the Great's shaven image on the Alexander Mosaic, 2nd Century BC

Before the advent of razors, hair was sometimes removed using two shells to pull the hair out or using water and a sharp tool. In some Native American tribes at the time of contact with American colonists it was customary for men and women to remove all bodily hair using these methods.^[4] Later, around 3000 BC, when copper tools were developed, copper razors were invented. The idea of an aesthetic approach to personal hygiene may have begun at this time, though Egyptian priests may have practiced something similar to this earlier. Alexander the Great strongly promoted shaving during his reign in the 4th century BCE to avoid "dangerous beard-grabbing in combat", and because he believed it looked tidier.^[5]

Shaving methods[link]

Shaving can be done with a straight razor or safety razor (called 'manual shaving' or 'wet shaving') or an electric razor (called 'dry shaving').

For men, the removal of a full beard often requires the use of scissors or an electric (or beard) trimmer to reduce the mass of hair, simplifying the process.

"Traditional" wet shaving[link]

Safety razor, shaving brush and shaving soap. The brush is used to make lather from the soap.

There are two types of manual razors: straight razor and safety razors. Safety razors are further subdivided into double-edged razors, single edge, injector razors, cartridge razors and disposable razors.

In the twentieth century, Gillette razors were the most prevalent. Double-edge razors are currently readily available and are manufactured by Merkur in Germany, Kiwishaver in New Zealand, Parker in India, Feather in Japan, Hart Steel and Weber Razor in the United States and Weishi in China. Double-edge razors are named so because the blade that they use has two sharp edges on opposite sides of the blade. Current multi-bladed cartridge manufacturers attempt to differentiate themselves by having more or fewer blades than their competitors, each arguing that their product gives a greater shave quality at a more affordable price.

Before wet shaving, the area to be shaved is usually doused in warm to hot water or covered for several minutes with a hot wet towel to soften the skin and hairs. A lathering or lubricating agent such as cream, soap, gel, foam or oil is normally applied afterwards. Lubricating and moisturizing the skin to be shaved helps to prevent a painful razor burn. Many razor cartridges include a lubricating strip, made of polyethylene glycol, to function instead of or in supplement to extrinsic agents. It also lifts and softens the hairs, causing them to swell. This enhances the cutting action and sometimes permits cutting the hairs slightly below the surface of the skin. Additionally, during shaving, the lather indicates areas that have not been addressed. When soap is used, it is generally applied with a shaving brush, which has long soft bristles. It is worked up into a usable lather by the brush, either against the face, in a shaving mug, bowl, scuttle, or palm of the hand.

Since cuts are more likely when using safety razors and straight razors, wet shaving is generally done in more than one pass with the blade. The goal is to reduce the amount of hair with each pass, instead of trying to eliminate all of it in a single pass. This also reduces the risks of cuts, soreness, and ingrown hairs.

Aftershave[link]

Men may use an aftershave lotion after they have finished shaving. It may contain an antiseptic agent such as isopropyl alcohol to prevent infection from cuts, a perfume, and a moisturizer to soften the facial skin.

Electric shaving[link]

A rotary design electric razor

The electric razor consists of a set of oscillating or rotating blades, which are held behind a perforated metal foil which prevents them from coming into contact with the skin and behaves much like the second blade in a pair of scissors. When the razor is held against the skin, the whiskers poke through the holes in the foil and are sliced by the moving blades. In some designs the blades are a rotating cylinder. In others they are one or more rotating disks or a set of oscillating blades. Each design has an optimum motion over the skin for the best shave and manufacturers provide guidance on this. Generally for circular blades it is a circular motion and for cylindrical or oscillating blades it is up and down. The first electric razor was built by Jacob Schick in 1928.

The main disadvantages of electric shaving are that it may not cut the whiskers as close as wet shaving does and it requires a source of electricity. The advantages are fewer cuts in the skin, quicker shaving and no need for a water supply. Some people also find they do not experience ingrown hairs (pseudofolliculitis barbae, also called razor bumps), when using an electric shaver.

Many pre- and post-electric lotions are sold but electric shaving does not usually require the application of any lubrication to be effective and can be done dry.

There are special electric razors available for use by women, but these are essentially no different from those made for men.

Shaving products[link]

The shaving products that are marketed nowadays can be broken into three categories, pre, during and after-shave. For the sake of the skin, it is recommended that shaving is always accompanied by the pre-shaving and after-shaving processes.

Pre-shaving mainly consists of getting the skin and hairs ready for the blade. The shaving products that one can find for this particular action are oils, creams and shaving soaps. These products come in various formulations which are designed for a particular type of skin or beard. They may also be chosen according to the instrument which is going to be used for shaving. The market provides pre-shaving products intended for individuals who shave with hand razors or for those who prefer an electric razor. Although pre-shave oils may result in a smoother shave, these products are not so popular. Individuals that use a manual razor tend to skip this step because the soap or cream which is used for shaving provides the same benefit as a pre-shave product.

There are mainly three types of manual razors that can be found on the market. One of the oldest types is the straight razor. These razors have two parts, the blade and the handle. The blade has different sizes and it may be folded into the handle. They can be made of different materials, but the best quality ones are made from steel. One of the most popular types of straight razors is those manufactured by Sheffield, Eng.^[6] The price of these razors depends on the quality of the material they are made of and ranges from as low as a little over $10 to more than $100. The brand may also influence the price of the razor.

By far the most common type of razor in the developed world is the disposable. These minimize the risk of injury for inexperienced or hurried shavers and they are commonly used by both men and women. The primary disadvantages that come with the use of disposable razors are the lower quality shave, and the skin irritation or in-grown hairs that may result afterward. These razors are commonly found with between one and five blades, and opinions differ regarding which setup provides the best shave.

Double-edge safety razors are not as popular as disposable razors, but they are still an option for those who feel comfortable using them. Although their name suggests that these razors are very safe, they are not entirely without risk because the blade edges of the razor are exposed and can cause cuts if the appropriate technique and sufficient caution are not used. They are, however, considered to be safer than straight razors because there is no actual risk of serious injury as there is with the latter.

Shaving with a hand razor requires either water or the use of a foam, cream or soap. Generally, shaving creams and foams are used with disposable razors and soap is more commonly used with straight razors. These shaving products are intended to smooth the face by lubricating the skin which allows a gentler shave. It seems that individuals who use these products are less likely to cut their skin and the shaved area is smoother by comparison with people who use only water before shaving. Moreover, the shaving products also help in preventing and reducing skin irritation. When shaving with a straight razor, the soap is applied onto the face with the help of a mug and a brush. The use of soap with a brush is thought to result in a superior quality shave as the brush may unclog the hairs that are stuck together.

Shaving with an electric razor can be done with the skin dry, but many individuals apply a commercial pre-shaving lubricant to lessen irritation. Most electric razors come with features which help to raise the hairs, allowing them to be cut more efficiently. This prevents the skin from being irritated by excessive motion from the razor.

Aftershaves and colognes are the main products used after shaving, to smooth the shaved area and for preventing skin irritation. They can also help to sterilize any cuts in the skin.

Effects of shaving[link]

Shaving can have numerous side effects, including cuts, abrasions, and irritation. Many side effects can be minimized by using a fresh blade, applying plenty of lubrication, and avoiding pressing down with the razor. A shaving brush can also help. The cosmetic market in some consumer economies offers many products to reduce these effects; they commonly dry the affected area, and some also help to lift out the trapped hair(s). Some shavers choose to use only single-blade or wire-wrapped blades that shave farther away from the skin. Others have skin that cannot tolerate razor shaving at all; they use depilatory shaving powders to dissolve hair above the skin's surface, or grow a beard.

Cuts[link]

Cuts from shaving can bleed for about fifteen minutes. Shaving cuts can be caused by blade movement perpendicular to the blade's cutting axis or by regular / orthogonal shaving over prominent bumps on the skin (which the blade incises). Common methods used to stop shaving-induced bleeding include: (1) pressing any simple alcohol onto the cut until the bleeding stops (e.g. with a cotton swab); (2) placing a small piece of tissue or toilet paper onto the cut; (3) applying styptic pencils and styptic liquids; 4) placing a small amount of petroleum jelly on the cut after most of the bleeding has ended (which can stop the bleeding without forming a scab), or 5) applying a small amount of aluminum chlorohydrate (commonly found in roll-on deodorants such as Ban). Shaving in or just after a cold shower can help prevent bleeding as well, because blood flow to the skin is reduced in these conditions due to vasoconstriction caused by the cold water. Shaving blade disposal in the era of safety razors and double-edged blades was a concern for a man's spouse and children who could easily take a blade, casually cast into the garbage, and in the process of compressing or compacting the garbage, cut themselves seriously. Some razor blade manufacturers include disposal containers or receptacles to avoid injuries.

Razor burn[link]

The red spot on the man's neck is razor burn

Razor burn is an irritation of the skin caused by using a blunt blade or not using proper technique. It appears as a mild rash 2–4 minutes after shaving (once hair starts to grow through sealed skin) and usually disappears after a few hours to a few days, depending on severity. In severe cases, razor burn can also be accompanied by razor bumps, where the area around shaved hairs get raised red welts or infected pustules. A rash at the time of shaving is usually a sign of lack of lubrication. Razor burn is a common problem, especially among those who shave coarse hairs on areas with sensitive skin like the bikini line, pubic hair, underarms, chest, and beard. The condition can be caused by shaving too closely, shaving with a blunt blade, dry shaving, applying too much pressure when shaving, shaving too quickly or roughly, or shaving against the grain.

Ways to prevent razor burn include keeping the skin moist, using a shaving brush and lather, using a moisturizing shaving gel, shaving in the direction of the hair growth, resisting the urge to shave too closely, applying minimal pressure, avoiding scratching or irritation after shaving, avoiding irritating products on the shaved area (colognes, perfumes, etc.) and using an aftershave cream with aloe vera or other emollients.^[7] Also, it is good to prepare the skin for shaving by cleansing the area to be shaved with a wash containing salicylic acid, to facilitate the removal of oils and dead skin.^{[citation needed]} Putting a warm, wet cloth on one's skin helps as well, by softening hairs. This can also be done by using pre-shave oil before the application of shaving cream. One other technique involves exfoliating the skin before and after shaving, using various exfoliating products, included but not limited to, mitts and luffa. This process removes dead skin cells, reducing the potential for ingrown hairs and allowing the razor to glide across the skin smoothly decreasing the risk of the razor snagging or grabbing causing razor burn.

Razor bumps[link]

Pseudofolliculitis barbae is a medical term for persistent inflammation caused by shaving. It is also known by the initials PFB or colloquial terms such as "razor bumps."

Myths[link]

Shaving does not cause terminal hair to grow back thicker or coarser or darker.^[8][9] This belief arose because hair that has never been cut has a tapered end, whereas, after cutting, there is no taper. Thus, it appears thicker, and feels coarser due to the sharper, unworn edges. The fact that shorter hairs are "harder" (less flexible) than longer hairs also contributes to this effect.^[10] Hair can also appear darker after it grows back because hair that has never been cut is often lighter due to sun exposure. In addition, as humans grow older hair tends to grow coarser and in more places on the face and body.^{[citation needed]} For example, a teenager may start shaving their face or legs at around 16, but as they age hair will start to grow more abundantly and thicker, leading some to believe this was due to the shaving, but in reality is just part of the aging process.

Shaving in religion[link]

Christianity, Jainism, Hinduism and Buddhism[link]

Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama shows a shaved face and a shaved head.

Tonsure is the practice of some Christian churches and some Hindu, Jain and Buddhist (usually only monks or nuns) temples of shaving or plucking the hair from the scalp of priests and nuns as a symbol of their renunciation of worldly fashion and esteem. Amish men shave their beard until they are married, after which they allow it to grow.^[11]

Among Hindus, a child's birth hair is shaved as practice in the religion. This is perceived, in their faith, to make it grow back thicker and healthier.

Islam[link]

In some cultures at the birth of a baby, in 7 days time it is customary that a baby's hair of the head be shaved off and then the hair's weight in gold is distributed to the poor. In Islam it is habit or usual practice for one to grow a full beard and trim the moustache close, if genetically possible.^[12] In addition to the above requirements, both Muslim men and women are highly encouraged to shave their pubic hair and armpit hair for both hygienic and aesthetic reasons. Some Muslims also interpret this as habit, while classical scholars^[who?] have viewed the matter as religious duty^{[citation needed]}.^[13]

Judaism[link]

Observant Jewish men are subject to restrictions on the shaving of their beards, as the book of Leviticus in the Bible appears to completely forbid the shaving of the corners of the head and prohibits the marring of the corners of the beard.^[14] The Hebrew word used in this verse refers specifically to shaving with a blade against the skin^{[citation needed]}; rabbis at different times and places have interpreted this in many ways. Tools like scissors and electric razors, which cut the hair between two blades instead of between blade and skin, have often been considered more acceptable.

See also[link]

Wikibooks has a book on the topic of Shaving

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Shaving

• Androgenic hair
• Barber
• Beard
• Beard Liberation Front
• Burma-Shave
• Glabrousness
• Hair removal
• Head shaving
• Leg shaving
• Police v. City of Newark
• Pubic hair
• Razors
• Shaving cream
• Shaving oil
• Shaving soap

References[link]

Chris Austin Hadfield
CSA Astronaut
Nationality	Canadian
Status	Active
Born	(1959-08-29) 29 August 1959 (age 52) Sarnia, Ontario
Other occupation	Test pilot
Rank	Colonel, RCAF
Time in space	20d 02h 02m
Selection	1992 CSA Group
Total EVAs	2
Total EVA time	14 hours 50 minutes
Missions	STS-74, STS-100
Mission insignia

Chris Austin Hadfield, O.Ont, MSC, CD (born 29 August 1959) is a Canadian astronaut from the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) who was the first Canadian to walk in space. Hadfield has flown two space shuttle missions, STS-74 in 1995 and STS-100 in 2001. He has served as CAPCOM for both Space Shuttle and International Space Station (ISS) expeditions. He is currently training for a long duration stay on board the ISS, which will include command of Expedition 35 in 2012–13. He will be the first Canadian to command the ISS.^[1] He is enthusiastic about the prospects for a manned mission to Mars, and when asked if he would consider a one-way journey to Mars to be the first to visit, he said "I would be honoured to be given the opportunity."^[2]

Personal life[link]

Chris Hadfield was born in Sarnia, Ontario. His parents are Roger and Eleanor Hadfield who currently reside in Milton, Ontario. Hadfield was raised on a corn farm in southern Ontario and became interested in flying at a young age—from his own words in the interview to STRF.RU, he came to the idea of being astronaut when he was nine on the day of Apollo moon landing, which he had seen on TV then. Hadfield is married to his high-school girlfriend Helene Hadfield, and they have three adult children together.

Education[link]

Chris graduated as an Ontario Scholar from Milton District High School in 1977. After graduating from high school he went on to earn a bachelor degree in mechanical engineering at the Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston, Ontario in 1982. Hadfield conducted post-graduate research on aviation systems at the University of Tennessee in 1993.

Special honours and affiliations[link]

Chris Hadfield is the recipient of numerous awards and special honours. These include the 1988 Liethen-Tittle Award (top pilot graduate of the USAF Test Pilot School) and U.S. Navy Test Pilot of the Year (1991). He received an honorary Doctorate of Engineering from the Royal Military College (1996). Hadfield is a member of the Order of Ontario (1996). He also received an honorary Doctorate of Laws from Trent University (1999). Chris has also received Vanier Award (2001), Meritorious Service Cross (2001), NASA Exceptional Service Medal (2002) and the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal (2003). He was inducted into Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame (2005) and Commemorated on Royal Canadian Mint silver and gold coins for his spacewalk to install Canadarm2 on the International Space Station (2001).

As an Air Cadet, he earned a glider pilot scholarship at age 15 and a powered pilot scholarship at age 16.

His affiliations include the Royal Military College Club, Society of Experimental Test Pilots, Canadian Aeronautics and Space Institute, honorary patron of Lambton College, trustee of Lakefield College School, Board member of the International Space School Foundation, executive with the Association of Space Explorers.

Sarnia Airport was renamed in his honour in 1997.^[3]

Military experience[link]

Hadfield joined the Canadian Forces in May 1978. He spent two years at Royal Roads Military College, in Victoria, British Columbia followed by two years at the Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston, Ontario where he received a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering (with honors) in 1982. Hadfield underwent basic flight training for the Royal Canadian Air Force at CFB Portage La Prairie in Portage La Prairie, Manitoba for which he was named top pilot in 1980. In 1983, he took honors as the overall top graduate from Basic Jet Training at CFB Moose Jaw in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan and in 1984–1985, he trained as a fighter pilot at CFB Cold Lake in Cold Lake, Alberta on CF-5s and CF-18s.

For the next three years Hadfield flew CF-18s for the North American Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD) with 425 Squadron, during which time he flew the first CF-18 intercept of a Soviet Tupolev Tu 95 "Bear" aircraft. He attended the United States Air Force (USAF) Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base, in California, and upon graduation, served as an exchange officer with the U.S. Navy at Strike Test Directorate at the Patuxent River Naval Air Station. His accomplishments from 1989 to 1992 included testing the F/A-18 and A-7 aircraft; performing research work with NASA on pitch control margin simulation and flight; completing the first military flight of F/A-18 enhanced performance engines; piloting the first flight test of the National Aerospace Plane external burning hydrogen propulsion engine; developing a new handling qualities rating scale for high angle-of-attack test; and participating in the F/A-18 out-of-control recovery test program. In total, Hadfield has flown over 70 different types of aircraft.

NASA experience[link]

Chris Hadfield in 2012

Chris Hadfield was selected to become one of four new Canadian astronauts from a field of 5,330 applicants in June 1992. Three of those 4 (Dafydd Williams, Julie Payette and Hadfield) have flown in space. Hadfield was assigned by the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) to the NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas in August of the same year, where he addressed technical and safety issues for Shuttle Operations Development, contributed to the development of the glass shuttle cockpit, and supported shuttle launches at the Kennedy Space Center, in Florida. In addition, Hadfield was NASA's Chief CAPCOM, the voice of mission control to astronauts in orbit, for 25 space shuttle missions. From 1996 to 2000, he represented CSA astronauts and coordinated their activities as the Chief Astronaut for the CSA.^[4]

Chris Hadfield was the Director of Operations for NASA at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonauts Training Center (GCTC) in Star City, Russia from 2001 until 2003. Some of his duties included coordination and direction of all International Space Station crew activities in Russia, oversight of training and crew support staff, as well as policy negotiation with the Russian Space Program and other International Partners. He also trained and became fully qualified to be a flight engineer cosmonaut in the Soyuz TMA spacecraft, and to perform spacewalks in the Russian Orlan spacesuit.

Hadfield is a civilian CSA astronaut, having retired as a Colonel from the Canadian Air Force in 2003 after 25 years of military service. He was Chief of Robotics for the NASA Astronaut Office at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas from 2003–2006 and was Chief of International Space Station Operations from 2006–2008. In 2008 and 2009, Hadfield trained as a back-up to Robert Thirsk on the Expedition 21 mission.^[5] In May 2010, Hadfield served as the commander of the NEEMO 14 mission aboard the Aquarius underwater laboratory, living and working underwater for fourteen days.^[6][7] NASA has announced that Hadfield will become the first Canadian commander of the International Space Station, leading Expedition 35, when he blasts off in December 2012.^[8]

Space flights[link]

STS-74[link]

Chris Hadfield served as Mission Specialist 1 on STS-74 in November 1995. It was NASA's second space shuttle mission to rendezvous and dock with the Russian Space Station Mir. During the flight, the crew of Space Shuttle Atlantis attached a five-tonne docking module to Mir and transferred over 1,000 kg of food, water, and scientific supplies to the cosmonauts. Hadfield flew as the first Canadian to operate the Canadarm in orbit, and the only Canadian ever to board Mir.^[4]

STS-100[link]

Hadfield spacewalking during the STS-100 mission

In April 2001 Hadfield served as Mission Specialist 1 on STS-100, International Space Station (ISS) assembly Flight 6A. The crew of Space Shuttle Endeavour delivered and installed Canadarm2, the new Canadian-built robotic arm, as well as the Italian-made resupply module Raffaello. During the 11-day flight, Hadfield performed two spacewalks, which made him the first Canadian to ever leave a spacecraft and float freely in space. In total, Hadfield spent 14 hours, 50 minutes outside, traveling 10 times around the world during his spacewalk.^[9]

See also[link]

Listen to this article (info/dl)

This audio file was created from a revision of the "Chris Hadfield" article dated 2005-12-25, and does not reflect subsequent edits to the article. (Audio help)

More spoken articles

• Canadian space program

References[link]

 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

Books[link]

• H16511 Dr. Richard Arthur Preston "Canada's RMC – A History of Royal Military College" Second Edition 1982
• H1877 R. Guy C. Smith (editor) "As You Were! Ex-Cadets Remember". In 2 Volumes. Volume I: 1876–1918. Volume II: 1919–1984. RMC. Kingston, Ontario. The R.M.C. Club of Canada. 1984

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Chris Hadfield

• NASA astronaut biography
• CSA astronaut biography
• Chris Hadfield on Twitter
• Spacefacts biography of Chris Hadfield
• Video of Chris Hadfield on The Agenda with Steve Paikin, "Are We Bound for Space?" panel discussion with Lawrence Krauss, Donna Shirley, Chris McKay, Karl Schroeder and Robert D. Richards

Ruud van Nistelrooy

Personal information
Full name	Rutgerus Johannes Martinus van Nistelrooij
Date of birth	(1976-07-01) 1 July 1976 (age 35)
Place of birth	Oss, North Brabant, Netherlands
Height	1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)[1]
Playing position	Striker
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
1993–1997	Den Bosch	69	(17)
1997–1998	Heerenveen	31	(13)
1998–2001	PSV Eindhoven	67	(62)
2001–2006	Manchester United	150	(95)
2006–2010	Real Madrid	68	(46)
2010–2011	Hamburger SV	36	(12)
2011–2012	Málaga	28	(4)
Total		449	(246)
National team‡
1998–2011	Netherlands	70	(35)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 13 May 2012. † Appearances (Goals). ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 13 May 2012

Rutgerus Johannes Martinus "Ruud" van Nistelrooij (Dutch pronunciation: [ryt vɑn ˈnɪstəlroːi̯] ( listen); born 1 July 1976) is a retired Dutch footballer. He is the second-highest goalscorer in Champions League history with 60 goals. He is a three-time Champions League top scorer, as well as a top scorer in three different European domestic leagues. He was a pure goal scorer known for his shooting ability, calmness in front of goal and positioning.

Van Nistelrooy began his career with Den Bosch, before moving onto Heerenveen, eventually making a name for himself at PSV Eindhoven where he won two Dutch leagues. His goalscoring record at PSV attracted attention from Manchester United; a deal was in place in the summer of 2000, but because of injury problems his move was secured a year later for a then British record fee of £19 million. His time at United was successful, winning the Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup and FA Community Shield, along with winning the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year twice. Van Nistelrooy hit 150 goals in just 219 games for United, as well as being their all time European record goalscorer, but fell out of favour towards the end of his tenure. Real Madrid then secured his services in 2006. Although an injury blighted the end of his days with Madrid, he did win La Liga twice and the Supercopa de España before signing for Hamburg during the January transfer window in 2010. After a season-and-a-half with Hamburg, he moved back to Spain with Málaga in the summer of 2011. His retirement from football was announced on 14 May 2012.

Club career[link]

Early career[link]

Born in Oss, North Brabant, Van Nistelrooy started his professional career in 1993 with Dutch second division side Den Bosch, where he was converted from a central midfielder to centre forward after playing part-time for Nooit Gedacht and Margriet. After netting 12 goals in 31 games in the 1996–97 campaign, he transferred for €360,000 to Heerenveen the next year, and scored 13 goals in 31 matches in his only season with the club. He was then signed by PSV Eindhoven the next season for €6.3 million, a then-record transfer sum between two Dutch teams.

He scored 31 goals in 34 matches, the highest season total in the Eredivisie and second-highest in Europe overall, in addition to scoring all three of PSV's goals in a Champions League match against HJK Helsinki on 25 November 1998. Van Nistelrooy capped off the year by winning the Dutch Player of the Year award. The next season, he won his second Eredivisie scoring title with 29 goals. According to a 2001 interview with The Telegraph, Manchester United coach Alex Ferguson said that his son Darren, who was at tryouts for Eredivisie rival Heerenveen at the time, begged his father, "You've got to sign Van Nistelrooy right away, he's fantastic. We've been watching him."^[2] Ferguson sent team representatives to PSV's next league game and signed Van Nistelrooy the next day.^[2]

Van Nistelrooy looked set to complete an £18.5 million transfer to Manchester United in the summer of 2000. A press conference had been called to confirm Van Nistelrooy's arrival, but instead this was used to announce that the transfer had been delayed over concerns about his fitness. Days later, he suffered ruptured cruciate knee ligaments during a training session and the deal was axed.^[3] When the transaction was completed in April 2001, United were forced to pay PSV an additional £500,000 for the player's services due to the change in exchange rates between Euro and Sterling.

Manchester United[link]

Van Nistelrooy playing for Manchester United against Chelsea.

Van Nistelrooy signed a five-year contract after passing his medical.^[4] He downplayed United's £19 million investment to reporters, saying "The price is not heavy for me – it lifts me up because it means United have big confidence in me."^[2] During his first season, Van Nistelrooy scored 23 goals in 32 league games. He broke the record he shared with Mark Stein, Alan Shearer and Thierry Henry, by scoring in eight consecutive league games. He also scored 10 Champions League goals, and was named the PFA Players' Player of the Year.

The following season, he finished as the top Premier League scorer with 25 in 34 games, including three hat-tricks, and he ended the season on another eight-game scoring streak.^[5] He started the 2003–04 season by scoring twice in his first two league matches, which boosted his goals in consecutive games record to 10 matches in a row. He scored his 100th goal for the club in a 4–3 victory over Everton on 7 February 2004. He scored two goals, one a penalty, in United's victory over Millwall in the 2004 FA Cup Final.^[6]

Van Nistelrooy missed most of the 2004–05 season due to injury, but nonetheless scored a Champions League-best eight goals. One of them was his thirtieth career European goal, which he scored in a 2–2 Champions League group stage draw with Lyon on 16 September 2004, overtaking Denis Law's previous club record of 28 goals. Law later said to reporters, "I'm delighted for Ruud. It could not happen to a nicer guy."^[7] Manchester United were eliminated by eventual finalists Milan in the knockout stage after going scoreless in both legs.

At the start of the 2005–06 season, Van Nistelrooy scored in United's first four Premier League games. He finished as the second-highest league scorer with 21 goals, behind Arsenal's Thierry Henry. By the end of his fifth season with United, Van Nistelrooy had amassed 150 goals in fewer than 200 starts.

Van Nistelrooy shields the ball during a match against Tottenham Hotspur.

Van Nistelrooy was benched for the League Cup Final against Wigan Athletic, fuelling speculation of a rift between him and coach Alex Ferguson, which Van Nistelrooy denied. He was nonetheless left on the bench for six consecutive league matches, and though he then returned to the starting line-up and scored match-winners against West Ham United and Bolton Wanderers, fresh doubt spread over Van Nistelrooy's future when he was benched for United's season finale win over Charlton Athletic. Ferguson claimed that Van Nistelrooy was angry at the decision and left the stadium three hours before kick-off. On 9 May 2006, Setanta Sports reported that Van Nistelrooy's exclusion from the squad was due to a training session fight between him and team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo. Van Nistelrooy allegedly criticised Ronaldo's tendency to hold onto the ball instead of passing to his team-mates, which sparked the fight, after which Van Nistelrooy remarked, "Go crying to your daddy."^[8] The article claimed that this was not a reference to Ronaldo's father (who had died earlier in the season), but to United's Portuguese assistant coach Carlos Queiroz.^[9]

Van Nistelrooy signed with Spanish La Liga side Real Madrid on 28 July, departing Old Trafford after five seasons with a total of 150 goals in 220 appearances. With 38 goals, he is also the club's all-time European top goalscorer.

Real Madrid[link]

Van Nistelrooy playing for Real Madrid.

On 15 July 2006, Ferguson confirmed that Van Nistelrooy wanted to leave Manchester United and Real Madrid announced two weeks later that he had signed a three-year contract after being purchased for €24 million.^[10]

Van Nistelrooy scored a hat-trick in his second league match against Levante and, on 12 November 2006, he scored all four of Real Madrid's goals in a 4–1 victory over Osasuna. He won the league's Pichichi award with 25 goals as Real Madrid took home the 2006–07 title, and he also equalled the longest consecutive scoring streak in La Liga history with seven straight matches, tying a league record shared by Hugo Sánchez.^[11]

In January 2008, Van Nistelrooy signed a contract extension keeping him with Madrid until 2010, with the expiration date one day shy of his 34th birthday.^[12] He underwent ankle surgery in March,^[13] and returned for the El Clásico derby against Barcelona on 7 May, in which he netted a penalty two minutes after coming on as a substitute.^[14] He finished the season with 20 goals in 33 appearances.

In November 2008, Real Madrid announced that Van Nistelrooy would miss the remainder of the 2008–09 season after exploratory arthroscopic surgery revealed a partially torn meniscus in his right knee, with an expected recovery time of six to nine months following a second operation to repair the damage.^[15] Van Nistelrooy travelled to the United States to see specialist Richard Steadman, who had previously operated on the same knee back in 2000. At the time of his injury, he had 10 goals in 12 club appearances for the season.^[16] Following the injury, he was de-registered by Real Madrid for the rest of the 2008–09 season, and his shirt number was given to Dani Parejo. On 24 August 2009, in the last preseason game before the start of La Liga, Van Nistelrooy stepped on the pitch for the first time since his injury and played the last fifteen minutes of the game against Rosenborg, substituting Kaká. Van Nistelrooy came on for Cristiano Ronaldo in the 80th minute against Xerez in his first La Liga match since recovering from his injury. In the 81st minute, he provided the assist for a Benzema goal, following it with his own 88th minute goal. However, during his strike, he picked up a thigh injury. It was revealed by Real Madrid that he would be out from first team action for up to six weeks.^[17] On 27 October, Van Nistelrooy made his second comeback of the season coming on as a substitute for Raúl in the 71st minute against Alcorcon in the Copa del Rey.

Hamburger SV[link]

On 23 January 2010, Van Nistelrooy signed an 18-month contract with the German club Hamburg until June 2011.^[18][19] He made his first appearance for the club, coming off the bench in the last two minutes of Hamburg's 3–3 draw with Cologne on 6 February.^[20] Van Nistelrooy scored his first two goals for Hamburg on 13 February 2010 against Stuttgart in the 75th and 77th minutes of a 3–1 win, after entering the game just a few minutes prior.^[21] On 11 March 2010, Van Nistelrooy scored his first Europa League goal in the 40th minute of Hamburg's match against Anderlecht.^[22]

On 15 August 2010, Van Nistelrooy scored his only competitive hat-trick with Hamburg, in a 5–1 win over Torgelower SV Greif during round 1 of the 68th season of the DFB-Pokal.^[23] On 21 August 2010, he scored a brace in Hamburg's season opener against Schalke 04, which HSV won 2–1. During that match he played against his friend and former Real Madrid team-mate Raúl, who made his Bundesliga debut.

Van Nistelrooy scored 7 goals and made 2 assists in 25 appearances in his only full season with Hamburg.^[24]

Málaga[link]

On 1 June 2011, Van Nistelrooy arrived at Málaga CF to sign a one-year contract with the La Liga club on a free transfer.^[25]

On 1 October 2011, while playing against Getafe, he scored his first goal for Málaga. On 21 December, against the same club, he opened the scoring with a volley as Málaga won 3-2 on aggregate.

On 14 May 2012, he announced his retirement from football at the age of 35.

International career[link]

Van Nistelrooy has 70 caps and 35 goals for the Netherlands. He made his debut for the national team in a friendly match against Germany on 18 November 1998.^[26] However, the cruciate ligament injury which postponed his transfer to Manchester United also ruled Van Nistelrooy out of Euro 2000.^[27]

Van Nistelrooy (front) with Robin van Persie

As the Dutch failed to qualify for the 2002 World Cup, Van Nistelrooy did not make his tournament debut for the Netherlands until Euro 2004, where he and the Czech Republic's Milan Baroš were the only players to score in all three group stage matches. During a 2006 World Cup qualifying match, he scored in the Dutch's 4–0 hammering of bottom-placed Andorra and was yellow-carded for going to Andorra player Antoni Lima and celebrating in front of him, following an incident six minutes before when Van Nistelrooy missed a penalty and Lima laughed at him.^[28] He was a part of coach Marco van Basten's squad for the 2006 World Cup finals, for which he served as the official FIFA/SOS ambassador.^[29] He started, and was substituted, in all of the Netherlands' group stage matches, and scored his lone goal against the Côte d'Ivoire. Van Nistelrooy was dropped to the bench for the Netherlands' second round match, which saw them eliminated by Portugal.

Van Basten left the striker out of the squad for a friendly against Ireland on 16 August 2006.^[30] Dirk Kuyt replaced Van Nistelrooy in their next match against Portugal in September.^[31] After Klaas-Jan Huntelaar was unavailable for Euro 2008 qualifiers against Bulgaria and Belarus due to injury, Van Nistelrooy refused Van Basten's request to take his place on the roster.

On 23 January 2007, Van Nistelrooy announced his retirement from international football following some disputes with coach Marco van Basten.^[32] However, after several phone conversations and at the persuasion of veteran Edwin van der Sar, both player and coach put aside their differences. Van Basten announced four months later that Van Nistelrooy was returning to the Oranje.^[33][34] On 8 September, Van Nistelrooy filled Huntelaar's spot, as previously requested, for the qualifier against Bulgaria, scoring in a 2–0 victory,^[35] and scored the winning goal four days later in injury time of the Netherlands' win over Albania.

At Euro 2008, Van Nistelrooy scored for the Netherlands in their decisive 3–0 victory over Italy in the group stage, and scored the equaliser in their eventual 3–1 loss to Russia in the quarter-finals. On 4 August, he again announced his retirement from international competition.^[36][37]

During the build up to the 2010 World Cup Van Nistelrooy again made himself available, but was left out by Van Marwijk, the Dutch team coach.^[38]

After main striker Robin van Persie suffered an injury during a match with his club Arsenal, Van Marwijk gave Van Nistelrooy a chance to reclaim his position as the main striker of the Netherlands' national team. Van Nistelrooy was invited to two Netherlands' Group E qualification matches for Euro 2012 against San Marino and Finland.^[39] He scored in the 5–0 victory against San Marino on 3 September 2010.^[40]

He was again recalled to the squad in March 2011 for two Euro 2012 qualification games with Hungary, after injuries to strikers Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, Arjen Robben and Theo Janssen.^[41] In the away game on 25 March he appeared as a late substitute for Dirk Kuyt^[42] while in the return game in Amsterdam four days later he came off the bench to score his 35th international goal.^[43] adding it is 'wonderful to be able to add something to this Oranje team', as he told Berend Scholten.^[44]

Personal life[link]

Family[link]

Van Nistelrooy married his girlfriend, Leontien Slaats, in July 2004.^[45] The couple had their first child, a girl named Moa Annette, in September 2006, and a son named Liam in March 2008.^[46][47][48]

Charity work[link]

Van Nistelrooy and his wife are both heavily involved with the charity organization SOS Children's Villages. The organization has been around since 1949 and is an international development charity which serves to protect the interests and rights of children. Van Nistelrooy was officially appointed "FIFA for SOS Children's Villages" Ambassador in the Netherlands on 1 September 2001.^[49]

On 17 November 2009, Van Nistelrooy and his wife hosted SOS at Real Madrid City. The purpose of the event was to help create a calendar which would be sold to benefit the organization.^[50]

Statistics[link]

Club[link]

As of 13 May 2011^[51]

International[link]

Van Nistelrooy (right) with Klaas-Jan Huntelaar^[52] in training prior to UEFA Euro 2008. Van Nistelrooy originally announced his retirement from international duty before the tournament, before rejoining the team for the tournament and retiring again. He returned to international duty for a March 2011 qualification match for UEFA Euro 2012 against Hungary, in which he scored to help Holland win.

International goals^[53]

Goal	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1	28 April 1999	Gelredome, Arnhem, Netherlands	Morocco	1–2	1–2	Friendly
2	25 April 2001	Philips Stadion, Eindhoven, Netherlands	Cyprus	4–0	4–0	2002 WCQ
3	2 June 2001	Lilleküla Stadium, Tallinn, Estonia	Estonia	2–2	2–4	2002 WCQ
4	2 June 2001	Lilleküla Stadium, Tallinn, Estonia	Estonia	2–3	2–4	2002 WCQ
5	15 August 2001	White Hart Lane, London, England	England	0–2	0–2	Friendly
6	5 September 2001	Philips Stadion, Eindhoven, Netherlands	Estonia	5–0	5–0	2002 WCQ
7	6 October 2001	Gelredome, Arnhem, Netherlands	Andorra	3–0	4–0	2002 WCQ
8	6 October 2001	Gelredome, Arnhem, Netherlands	Andorra	4–0	4–0	2002 WCQ
9	20 November 2002	Arena Auf Schalke, Gelsenkirchen, Germany	Germany	1–3	1–3	Friendly match
10	29 March 2003	De Kuip, Rotterdam, Netherlands	Czech Republic	1–0	1–1	2004 UEQ
11	2 April 2003	Sheriff Stadium, Tiraspol, Moldova	Moldova	1–1	1–2	2004 UEQ
12	19 November 2003	Amsterdam ArenA, Amsterdam, Netherlands	Scotland	3–0	6–0	2004 UEQ
13	19 November 2003	Amsterdam ArenA, Amsterdam, Netherlands	Scotland	4–0	6–0	2004 UEQ
14	19 November 2003	Amsterdam ArenA, Amsterdam, Netherlands	Scotland	6–0	6–0	2004 UEQ
15	15 June 2004	Estádio do Dragão, Porto, Portugal	Germany	1–1	1–1	UEFA Euro 2004
16	19 June 2004	Estádio Municipal de Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal,	Czech Republic	2–0	2–3	UEFA Euro 2004
17	23 June 2004	Estádio Municipal de Braga, Braga, Portugal	Latvia	1–0	3–0	UEFA Euro 2004
18	23 June 2004	Estádio Municipal de Braga, Braga, Portugal	Latvia	2–0	3–0	UEFA Euro 2004
19	13 October 2004	Amsterdam ArenA, Amsterdam, Netherlands	Finland	2–1	3–1	2006 WCQ
20	13 October 2004	Amsterdam ArenA, Amsterdam, Netherlands	Finland	3–1	3–1	2006 WCQ
21	30 March 2005	Philips Stadion, Eindhoven, Netherlands	Armenia	2–0	2–0	2006 WCQ
22	8 June 2005	Helsinki Olympic Stadium, Helsinki, Finland	Finland	0–1	0–4	2006 WCQ
23	3 September 2005	Hanrapetakan Stadium, Yerevan, Armenia	Armenia	0–1	0–1	2006 WCQ
24	7 September 2005	Philips Stadion, Eindhoven, Netherlands	Andorra	3–0	4–0	2006 WCQ
25	7 September 2005	Philips Stadion, Eindhoven, Netherlands	Andorra	4–0	4–0	2006 WCQ
26	27 May 2006	De Kuip, Rotterdam, Netherlands	Cameroon	1–0	1–0	Friendly
27	4 June 2006	De Kuip, Rotterdam, Netherlands	Australia	1–0	1–1	Friendly
28	16 June 2006	Gottlieb-Daimler-Stadion, Stuttgart, Germany	Côte d'Ivoire	2–0	2–1	2006 World Cup
29	8 September 2007	Amsterdam ArenA, Amsterdam, Netherlands	Bulgaria	2–0	2–0	2008 UEQ
30	12 September 2007	Qemal Stafa, Tirana, Albania	Albania	0–1	0–1	2008 UEQ
31	29 May 2008	Philips Stadion, Eindhoven, Netherlands	Denmark	1–0	1–1	Friendly
32	9 June 2008	Stade de Suisse, Wankdorf, Bern, Switzerland	Italy	1–0	3–0	Euro 2008
33	21 June 2008	St. Jakob-Park, Basel, Switzerland	Russia	1–1	1–3	Euro 2008
34	3 September 2010	Stadio Olimpico, Serravalle, San Marino	San Marino	0–5	0–5	2012 UEQ
35	29 March 2011	Amsterdam ArenA, Amsterdam, Netherlands	Hungary	3–2	5–3	2012 UEQ