Van Nistelrooy: Only The Best Do That

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Van Nistelrooy: Only The Best Do That

Ruud van Nistelrooy praised Jamie Vardy for always stepping up to the big occasion after our No.9 continued making history on his final-ever Leicester City appearance.

2025-05-19T08:45+01:00

by Sam Stevens

Published

19 May, 2025

from King Power Stadium

Van Nistelrooy: Only The Best Do That

Ruud van Nistelrooy praised Jamie Vardy for always stepping up to the big occasion after our No.9 continued making history on his final-ever Leicester City appearance.

Sam Stevens

2025-05-19T08:45+01:00

Van Nistelrooy: Only The Best Do That

Ruud van Nistelrooy praised Jamie Vardy for always stepping up to the big occasion after our No.9 continued making history on his final-ever Leicester City appearance.

Sam Stevens

2025-05-19T08:45+01:00

Van Nistelrooy: Only The Best Do That

Ruud van Nistelrooy praised Jamie Vardy for always stepping up to the big occasion after our No.9 continued making history on his final-ever Leicester City appearance.

Sam Stevens

2025-05-19T08:45+01:00

Van Nistelrooy: Only The Best Do That

Ruud van Nistelrooy praised Jamie Vardy for always stepping up to the big occasion after our No.9 continued making history on his final-ever Leicester City appearance.

Sam Stevens

2025-05-19T08:45+01:00

Jamie Vardy ended his Leicester City story with a 200th goal on his 500th appearance
The 38-year-old scored the opener in a 2-0 win over Ipswich Town
Vardy won the Premier League, FA Cup, Community Shield and two Championship titles with City
Manager Ruud van Nistelrooy paid tribute to the No.9 after Sunday's win on Filbert Way

The 38-year-old netted goal no.200 on his 500th outing for the Foxes on Sunday – 13 years exactly to the day since he joined the Football Club.

That time span saw Vardy emerge from non-league to become a Premier League legend, lifting the English title in 2016, and later winning the FA Cup and Community Shield.

All eyes were on the former Fleetwood Town striker, but it took him just 28 minutes to give the Blue Army what they craved – slotting a composed finish into the Ipswich net to get van Nistelrooy’s men on course for victory.

Kasey McAteer wrapped up the points after the break, with his first Premier League goal, but the occasion was all Vardy’s on Sunday as our greatest-ever player departed Filbert Way.

“That’s not easy,” the Manager said afterwards, crediting Vardy for arriving on the big stage yet again and delivering what was expected in front of a full-house.

“Only the best can do that when it’s needed and that’s what he does. He focuses on that and achieving things. He puts his mind into his and then he does it.

“That’s not possible for many people. If you look at the amount of games, the amount of goals, the silverware he’s won for the Club, but also individually, his personality as well, he’s a special person.”

Although pleased with the result, which makes it seven points from a possible nine for the already-relegated Foxes, the Dutchman also spotted areas for improvement.

“There were some good spells in the game,” he added. “I think, overall, we gave away quite a few opportunities and chances back to Ipswich.

“We could have done better in a couple of moments there, where we didn’t defend or press the ball as we should.

“We gave them a little bit too much, but we were capable to block the shots or they missed the opportunities so we were a bit lucky not to concede.

“But I see many positives as well in the development of the team, on and off the ball.

“Also, individual development of young players, so there’s some positivity to end the season with after Southampton and Forest. It’s always welcome as course.

“Since the Brighton and Liverpool games, the three results since, the performances were going hand in hand with results.

“Of course, we are still bitterly disappointed with the relegation. We feel bad we couldn’t do better earlier.

“But, of course, we’re changing the narrative and the focus on next season, giving young and homegrown players a chance and an opportunity, they are doing really well and helping the team.”

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