Jamie Vardy treating Leicester farewell as just another game – Van Nistelrooy

Ruud van Nistelrooy says it has been business as usual for Jamie Vardy this week as he prepares to play his final game for Leicester City on Sunday.

The former England international will make his 500th and last appearance for the Foxes when they host Ipswich in a clash between two teams that will play in the Championship next season after relegation.

Vardy has already outlined his intention to play on after leaving Leicester but aims to bow out on a high by scoring his 200th goal for the club.

Asked if he’s noticed anything different about Vardy this week, Van Nistelrooy said: “Nothing. He’s preparing to win the game on Sunday, that’s what he does.

“He’s been so good over so many years because of that mindset, he’s not been bothered with criticism or praise, he’s thinking of performing. There’s nothing different about how he is around the place.

“Of course he will be leading the team out on Sunday.

“It is important to prepare the match like I always do. Today and tomorrow is big in that. Prepare the team as best as we can as staff for the team to perform as well as they can, that is the most important thing I can do and the rest is up to him and he will be ready for that.”

On Vardy’s legacy

“When you play 500 games, nearly 200 goals, that says it all. Over his 13 seasons at this Club and the trophies, the individual awards, he’s won, it’s the total package of one of the greatest.” pic.twitter.com/eIReCS2kot

— Leicester City (@LCFC) May 16, 2025

Day of events scheduled to say goodbye to Vardy

Vardy will not play in Leicester’s final game of the season at Bournemouth with the club instead taking the opportunity to bid farewell to someone they describe as their greatest ever player with a day of special events on Sunday.

The 38-year-old played a key role in Leicester’s remarkable 2016 Premier League title success but Van Nistelrooy says that is just one moment to reflect on in a career that only really blossomed after he moved to the East Midlands.

The Dutchman added: “When you see the amount of times a player is performing at the highest level, that’s the biggest achievement.

“When you’ve performed 13 seasons at this level, coming up to 500 games, 200 goals, that says it all. The standards you set yourself, you live your life around football and how you perform.

“Then you look at the trophies he has won, the individual achievements. It’s the total package for one of the greatest.”

Vardy hoping to stick around in the Premier League

Vardy is unlikely to be short of offers for next season and is thought to be eager to remain in the top flight.

And Van Nistelrooy confirmed the former Fleetwood and Halifax man will continue playing on.

“I think in the conversations we have had that [retirement] wasn’t a topic,” he said. “I recognise from when I was playing at an older age you are focused on performing and I recognise that in Jamie as well.

“He is not focused on the future after football. This will be his last game for Leicester City but he wants to continue playing. In that sense he is committed to perform and to play. That is what I have sensed with him.”