When most athletes get to 30, they understand their athletic peak is coming to an end. Most teams in all sports leagues around the world start looking for successors to their superstars once they hit that benchmark. Or they sever ties with them similar to how A.C. Milan got rid of Andrea Pirlo. Arjen Robben won’t go through that treatment anytime soon because he’s currently playing better than he’s ever been and has solidified himself as the third best soccer player in the world at the moment.

Robben has come a long way in changing the public perception of him. Once viewed as a selfish player to being a scapegoat for his country and club, the 31-year-old overcame all the negativity to raise his game to another level. During the 2010 World Cup final in the 62nd minute, the Netherlands international received a great ball into the box from playmaker Wesley Sneijder but the shot was denied by goalkeeper Iker Casillas. That was the best chance the Netherlands had to win the game and they lost in extra time 1-0 due to Andres Iniesta’s excellent goal.

Two years later in April, Bayern Munich were on pace to win the continental treble which entails a club winning their domestic league, main domestic cup tournament and main continental trophy. Instead, the Bavarians ended their campaign with no trophies and the 2010 German Footballer of the Year took most of the blame. Robben missed a penalty in a defeat to Borussia Dortmund which gave their rivals the Bundesliga title. Then the winger failed from 12 yards out again in extra time of the Champions League final against his former club Chelsea. Despite all the heartbreaking losses and animosity against him, Robben took the incidents in stride and never lost confidence in himself.

“What happened to me is part of football. The most important thing is that you keep believing in yourself and stay positive. I know that’s easy to say in hindsight, but that’s the way it is. You always have to fight and work hard. It was a very frustrating season [in 2011-12], but life goes on and we all saw that we achieved some great things after that season. I don’t think the whole experience changed me, at least not as a person. The football world can be very opportunistic. When you’re on a good run and win titles, everything is great again all of a sudden,” said Robben to Goal.com last year.

Bayern Munich of course won the treble the next season with Robben becoming more of a team player, but his ascension truly began when Pep Guardiola became his club’s new manager. Previously, Franck Ribery was the main creative force of the side and orchestrated most of the attacks. But due to the Frenchman having injury issues, Guardiola decided to swing the side’s attack to the right side of the pitch with Phillipp Lahm conducting and Robben finishing the chances. The strategy worked as Bayern successfully defended their Bundesliga crown. However, in the Champions League they were spanked by Real Madrid, another of Robben’s former teams. The 2014 Dutch Sportsman of the Year afterwards led a Dutch team that had low expectations. He was arguably the best player in the World Cup and his homeland finished in third place. Even though he played excellent, some pundits and fans just viewed him as a flopper due to his dive against Mexico in the round of 16.

Now, the 2014 FIFA/FIFPro World XI team member’s role has expanded even more and he’s benefited from the opportunity. On Saturday against Paderborn, he scored two goals and had two assists in a 6-0 demolition. Robben is currently Bayern’s leading goalscorer this year with 16 strikes, tied for second with five assists, first in chances created with 43 and first in shots on goal with 38. He gives a lot of credit to his gaffer for his development.

“Pep Guardiola breathes football, he thinks about it 24/7. Tactically, he’s the best in the world. It’s a privilege to work with him. I am 31, but I still learn things from him,” said Robben to Telefoot.

Robben also has explained how the tactics of the two-time Champions League winning manager always evolves and allows him to learn and embrace playing new positions even at his advanced age. The deeper roles, he’s played this year in Bayern’s 3-4-3 formation has allowed him to use his pace, dribbling skills and playmaking skills to affect matches even more to the benefit of his team. The Bronze Ball winner at the 2014 World Cup so far has won 17 major titles during his career, including league titles in England, Germany Netherlands and Spain. He seems to be on the way to winning more and now he will be viewed as the main reason why his side wins instead of being the cause of their losses.