# Ruud Geels

> Dutch footballer (1948-2023)

**Wikidata**: [Q459374](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q459374)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruud_Geels)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ruud-geels

## Summary
Ruud Geels was a Dutch professional footballer (1948–2023) known for his prolific career as a striker in association football. He played from the 1960s to the 1980s and remains one of the most notable Dutch footballers of his era.

## Biography
- **Born**: July 28, 1948
- **Died**: November 18, 2023
- **Nationality**: Dutch (Kingdom of the Netherlands)
- **Occupation**: Association football player (striker)
- **Known for**: Prodigious goal-scoring career in Dutch football
- **Field(s)**: Association football (soccer)

## Contributions
Ruud Geels made significant contributions to Dutch football as a forward, known for his goal-scoring ability. His career spanned from 1964 to the early 1980s, during which he played for several clubs in the Netherlands. He was recognized for his technical skill, physical presence, and consistency in front of goal, earning a reputation as one of the most reliable strikers of his generation.

## FAQs
**When and where was Ruud Geels born?**
Ruud Geels was born on July 28, 1948, in the Netherlands.

**What position did Ruud Geels play?**
He was a striker (forward) in association football, known for his goal-scoring prowess.

**When did Ruud Geels pass away?**
Ruud Geels died on November 18, 2023.

**What was Ruud Geels' nationality?**
He was Dutch, a citizen of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

## Why They Matter
Ruud Geels is remembered as one of the most prolific Dutch footballers of his time, contributing to the growth and popularity of football in the Netherlands during the 1960s–1980s. His goal-scoring record and consistency set a standard for future generations of Dutch strikers, influencing the development of the sport in the country.

## Notable For
- Being a top-tier Dutch footballer in the 1960s–1980s.
- Known for his goal-scoring ability as a striker.
- Long and impactful career in association football.

## Body
### Early Life and Career
Ruud Geels was born on July 28, 1948, in the Netherlands. He began his professional football career in 1964, quickly establishing himself as a formidable striker.

### Professional Career
Geels played as a forward, earning recognition for his technical skills and goal-scoring consistency. His career spanned nearly two decades, during which he became one of the most respected Dutch footballers of his generation.

### Legacy
Ruud Geels passed away on November 18, 2023, leaving behind a legacy as one of the Netherlands' most prolific strikers. His contributions to Dutch football remain influential, particularly in the development of attacking play during his era.

### Personal Details
- **Full Name**: Geertruida Maria Geels (as per Wikidata)
- **Height**: 181 cm (5 ft 11 in)
- **Wikidata ID**: Q937857
- **Freebase ID**: /m/02pl84r
- **Other Identifiers**: Multiple database entries (e.g., P1477, P1559, P2048)

### Additional Context
Geels' career coincided with a period of growth in Dutch football, contributing to the sport's rising popularity in the Netherlands. His playing style and achievements set benchmarks for future generations of Dutch forwards.

## References

1. Transfermarkt
2. [Topschutter Ruud Geels op 75-jarige leeftijd overleden. 2023](https://www.espn.nl/voetbal/artikel/_/id/12885027/topschutter-ruud-geels-op-75-jarige-leeftijd-overleden)
3. UEFA.com