Wesley Sneijder, the legendary Dutch midfielder, recently opened up to Marca about his time at Real Madrid, his unforgettable experiences, and the emerging stars of today. The former playmaker reminisced about his incredible first year at the club, which was overshadowed by personal challenges during his second season. “I had an amazing first year; however, personal issues made my second season difficult. Without those problems, I might still be there today. But I’m too old now. I would have preferred to stay longer because nobody wants to leave Real Madrid.”
Sneijder acknowledged that the arrival of footballing giants like Kaká, Karim Benzema, Xabi Alonso, and Cristiano Ronaldo contributed to his departure from the club. “It was all about timing. I was there alongside them; Arjen Robben was too,” he noted. Reflecting on his journey, he expressed some regrets, stating, “Everything happens for a reason. A year later, I returned to that same stadium with Inter Milanef=”/club/ac-milan/”>Milan for the Champions League final. Had I stayed at Real Madrid, I might have won more Champions League titles, and things could have been different.”
In discussing the 2010 World Cup final against Spain, which ended in heartbreak for the Netherlands, Sneijder said, “What we achieved was already extraordinary. Playing in the final against Spain was incredible. The match was tightly contested; we could have won, but unfortunately, they did.” He mentioned that while the 5-1 victory over Spain in 2014 provided some satisfaction, it didn’t fully heal the wounds of 2010. “That match was completely different; it was in the group stage. Four years earlier, it was the final. I would have preferred to win 1-0 in the final in 2010 and lose 5-1 in 2014.”
On the topic of the Ballon d’Or, Sneijder observed that its value has evolved over time. “Today, individual performances and seasons are valued more highly; for me, that makes much more sense,” he concluded.
As we look ahead to future tournaments and competitions, Sneijder’s insights into both past glories and current talents provide a fascinating perspective on the evolution of football and Real Madrid’s legacy.
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