Why was former Manchester United striker Van Nistelrooy dressed up as one of the three wise men?



These bizarre pictures show former Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy visiting a hospital in Marbella as part of a Spanish Christmas tradition.



There is a longstanding tradition in both Spain and Holland that children receive presents at the beginning of January from one of the three wise men.

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Star of the show: Ruud van Nistelrooy was Balthazar at the Parade of the Three Kings

Crowd pleaser: People lined the streets for the parade as Van Nistelrooy took centre stage

Tradition decrees they arrive in town to much fanfare and celebration from the locals - as this giant procession shows.



Van Nistelrooy attended as one of the wise men, King Balthazar, who was supposedly a black Arabian scholar and is usually played as such in the 'Three Kings' processions that take place every year in Spanish communities.



Nice to be nice: Van Nistelrooy visited hospitals, giving gifts to staff and handing out sweets to children

The player himself tweeted a number of pictures to his 500,000 followers, with captions such as: 'The 3 kings arrived in Marbella!', 'Balthazar', and 'In the hospital with presents for young and old'.



Van Nistelrooy retired from playing last year after a season with Malaga. The 70-times capped Dutchman started his career with Den Bosch and played for Heerenveen and PSV Eindhoven before joining United in 2001.

He left for Real Madrid in 2006 and also had a spell at Hamburg before returning to Spain to see out his playing days.

Tradition: Van Nistelrooy threw himself into his role as Balthazar in the Parade of the Three Kings

Three's company: Van Nistelrooy and his fellow 'Kings' at the parade in Marbella

Goal machine: Van Nistelrooy had five successful seasons at Manchester United

VIDEO Thousands take to streets of Madrid for the annual Three Kings parade



