From Bernabéu to Bankruptcy: The Rise and Fall of Royston Drenthe

Royston Drenthe’s story is the classic tale of a football prodigy who had the world at his feet but somehow managed to kick it all away.

Born in the Netherlands, Drenthe was eligible to represent Suriname, his younger brother Giovanni represented Suriname but Royston chose to wear the Dutch orange.

Royston family background

Raised in a rough neighborhood and his father was killed by a gang when Drenthe was just three. His mother kept the truth hidden for years because she was trying to protect Drenthe.

Early promise

Spotted at age 13, Feyenoord brought Drenthe into their youth system and he was playing primarily as a left winger. But talent wasn’t his only defining trait he had disciplinary issues too.

A major bust-up during a youth tournament in Switzerland nearly got him kicked out of the club, but intervention from the club’s director of football gave him a second chance.

After a loan spell at Excelsior, where he reinvented himself as a left-back, Drenthe returned to Feyenoord and quickly broke into the first team.

His performances earned him a call-up to the Dutch U-21 team for the 2007 UEFA Euro, where he didn’t just help his country win, he was crowned the tournament’s best player.

The big move

That summer, Europe’s elite clubs came knocking. Arsenal, Chelsea, Inter Milan, Barcelona but it was Real Madrid that signed him for £14 million.

At just 20 years old, Drenthe scored a stunning 40-yard goal on his debut against Sevilla. The hype was real some even dared to call him the next Roberto Carlos.

The Decline begins

But success came too fast. The money, the fame, the nightlife Drenthe got caught up in the glam. He was constantly seen partying with Robinho and began neglecting training.

His poor discipline saw him lose his starting spot to Marcelo. Frustrated on the bench, he demanded a move.

Still wanting to stay in Spain, he joined Hércules CF but things only got worse. He showed up late to training, barely played , Royston only managed to play 9 matches for Hercules CF without scoring or assisting.

After his deal with Hercules expired, the club sent him back to Madrid, where José Mourinho made it clear that Drenthe was not in his plans.

Brief revival at Everton

In 2011, Drenthe joined Everton on loan. At first, it looked like he was back.

Royston scored 1 goal with 5 assists in his first 7 games for Everton but his old habits returned. He skipped training, showed up drunk on occasion, and clashed with manager David Moyes which made Everton refused to make the move permanent.

The fall

After his Real Madrid contract expired, no top club wanted him. he later moved to Russia before signing for Alania FC but he lasted for just five months.

in 2013, he moved to championship side,Reading FC which looked like he was getting his career back on track.

However, he spent most of his time with the U23s/reserve side so he went on loan to Sheffield Wednesday and still struggled to break into the first team.

After his loan deal with Sheffield Wednesday expired, Reading refused to renew his contract and his hype had long faded.

From 2015 onwards he was playing in the lower leagues of Turkey, Spain, and the Netherlands, by 2020, the consequences of his reckless lifestyle caught up. Drenthe was officially declared bankrupt. And in 2023, the once-golden boy of Dutch football quietly retired.

Moral lesson

Royston Drenthe had the skills to be a global superstar. But in the end, bad choices, lack of discipline, and a love for the nightlife derailed a career that once burned so brightly. His story is a powerful reminder: talent might open the door, but character keeps you in the room.