Netherlands striker Van Persie fit to face World Cup champions Spain
Netherlands striker Robin van Persie insists he is fit to face Spain in their World Cup opener on Friday.
The Manchester United striker says he has been playing through the pain of niggling knocks for "the last five or six years".
He was forced out of the Netherlands' final warm-up friendly against Wales with a groin twinge and appeared to be struggling in training over the weekend.
Van Persie has, however, declared himself fit and ready to face reigning champions Spain in a repeat of the 2010 final when Holland open their 2014 campaign on Friday.
He claims to have grown accustomed to nursing his way through fixtures and sees no reason why he cannot complete another major tournament.
Van Persie said: "I can't remember a game over the last five or six years where I haven't felt some pain somewhere.
"The groin complaint I had you can't even call an injury. I've had so many of those complaints.
"I'm no longer bothered by my groin and I have been able to give my all in the training sessions. I'm completely ready for the game against Spain. Spain are a good side, but so are we."
