A clip from 2010 of Wesley Sneijder claiming he could have been as good as Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi has resurfaced online. The Dutchman stated that while the two superstars made sacrifices, he decided to stay within his limits and is happy with how his career turned out.
The Dutchman has played for the top clubs across Europe, including Real Madrid. He started at Ajax before moving to Santiago Bernabeu for two years.
Sneider then spent three seasons at the San Siro with Inter - where he won the Champions league in 2010 - and finished his career with stints in Galatasaray in Turkey, Nice in France, and Al-Gharafa in Qatar.
While speaking with Gianluca di Marzio, Sneijder claimed he could have been the best in the world talks with Messi and Ronaldo, but he chose not to. He added that he liked to have a drink with his dinner and enjoy life while the aforementioned stars made sacrifices. He said:
"I could have become like Messi or Ronaldo. I simply didn't feel like it. I enjoyed my life, maybe I had a glass [of wine] at dinner. Leo and Cristiano are different, they have made many sacrifices. And that's fine with me, my career, however, was still amazing."
Sneijder challenged Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo for the Ballon d'Or in 2010
Wesley Sneijder helped Inter complete a treble in 2010 and was the favorite to win the Ballon d'Or that year. However, he finished fourth in the race with Messi lifting the trophy and his Barcelona teammates, Andreas Iniesta and Xavi, finishing behind him. Ronaldo finished sixth in the final standings.
Jose Mourinho spoke about the Ballon d'Or snub for his Inter players and said:
AlexanderMadrid
495
Your dream is also all Footballers dream but humans and gods have nothing in common. CR7 AND LM10 are out of these world π
JoyNg
409
Every footballers dreams is to become as great as either of the football GOATsππππππ Even we All football are even dreaming of a life like themππππ
Avengerr
39
I too could become a Messi or Ronaldo but I didnt want to play football sacrificing all. I am happy as how my career has shaped up as an unemployed person.
RaghibMustafa
32
dreams of all player to be like either Messi or cr7
loveworld14
17
I like what sneijder said. there's alot of people sayx C. Ronaldo is a product of hardwork while with messi, it's a gift. well if messi didn't work very hard, he would never be compared to ronaldo because hardwork beats talent if talent doesn't work hard
zokkmorst
12
Sneijder was far better than Ronaldo in footballing aspect , everything except Ronaldo was a good scorer nothing else. Messi I don't think so