Reuters reported on Sunday that former Real Madrid and Netherlands international left midfielder Royston Drenthe suffered a stroke and was rushed to the hospital.

According to the report, Drenthe collapsed at home on Friday after suffering a stroke and was rushed to the hospital by ambulance for treatment. Drenthe is currently conscious and recovering in a hospital room with his family by his side.

To ensure his proper recovery, the family requested that reporters, fans, and the public refrain from gathering outside the hospital and ward to respect Drenthe and his family's privacy.

The family, through his agents, has expressed their gratitude to every fan, reporter, former teammates, coaches, and his former clubs who has sent their well wishes to Drenthe.

Following the news of Drenthe's stroke and hospitalization, his childhood club Feyenoord immediately issued a message to support the player and wish him a speedy recovery.

About Royston Drenthe

Drenthe, 38, was born on April 8, 1987, in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. He is 1.67 meters tall and primarily plays as a left midfielder, but can also play as a  center midfielder or as a left-wing back. He is of Surinamese descent.

Drenthe joined Feyenoord's youth academy at the age of 13, moved to Excelsior's youth academy at 16, and returned to the Feyenoord youth academy two years later. He completed his Feyenoord first-team debut in a UEFA Cup match in September 2006.

The following August, Drenthe joined Real Madrid for €14 million.

Despite winning La Liga and the Copa del Rey with the club, Drenthe's playing opportunities were often limited by intense competition for places and racial abuse.

On the 2010 summer transfer window deadline day, Drenthe was loaned-out to Hercules.

Despite his impressive performances, Drenthe fell out with Hercules due to unpaid wages. 

On the following year's summer transfer window deadline day, Drenthe was loaned-out to Everton.

During his time at the Premier League club, Drenthe was repeatedly demoted to the reserve team due to disciplinary issues.

After leaving the club at the end of his contract in the summer of 2012, Drenthe played for Reading, Charlton Athletic, and Baniyas, but he was frequently dismissed for disciplinary issues.

In the summer of 2018, Drenthe joined Sparta Rotterdam on a free transfer. Although he won the Eerste Divisie title with the club, poor disciplinary issues once again led to the club refusing to renew his contract.

He subsequently played for several non-league clubs in the Netherlands and Spain until his retirement in the summer of 2023.

Since his retirement, Drenthe has been promoting football in the Netherlands and Belgium since August of last year, and has been a pundit on Eredivisie matches for ESPN Netherlands.