Ruud van Nistelrooy wants to play at Beijing Olympics Soccer News SportsNews24h.com

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Ruud van Nistelrooy wants to play at Beijing Olympics

Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy reportedly wants to play for his country at the Beijing Olympics.

Van Nistelrooy was dropped by Marco Van Basten after the Netherlands coach dropped him for a crucial match at this year's World Cup and is unlikely to play for the full national team in the immediate future.

However Dutch media reported Thursday that Van Nistelrooy spoke recently to Netherlands Olympic officials about playing at the 2008 Summer Games if the Netherlands qualifies.

Though the Olympic soccer tournament is for youth teams, each country is allowed to field three players older than 21. The Real Madrid striker is 30.

Dutch Soccer Association spokeswoman Monique Kessels said she had heard reports that Van Nistelrooy spoke to a Dutch Olympic official, but did not know ``if it was a serious discussion or not.''

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End: Ruud van Nistelrooy wants to play at Beijing Olympics

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