"After studying the schedule of Real Madrid and the Dutch team, I realized playing for both teams would mean too tough a physical load for me and therefore I made this choice," he said.

The 32-year-old announced his international retirement in 2007, but Holland coach Marco Van Basten convinced him to revert on his decision.

He was part of the Oranje squad in EURO 2008, where he scored two goals against Italy and Russia.

Van Nistelrooy, who has been a regular with the national team since 1998, scored 33 goals for his country, with only a single World Cup goal in 2006.