Wesley Sneijder (Part 1)

Wesley Sneijder, born on June 9, 1984, is a retired Dutch professional footballer renowned for his exceptional playmaking abilities. Considered one of the best midfielders globally during his prime, Sneijder's career boasted numerous achievements at both club and international levels.Sneijder began his professional journey at Ajax, rising through the ranks of the club's esteemed Youth Academy. During his time at Ajax, he secured four trophies and was honored with the prestigious Johan Cruyff Trophy in 2004. His outstanding performances caught the attention of Real Madrid, which signed him for €27 million in 2007. In his debut season with Real Madrid, Sneijder played a pivotal role in winning La Liga.


Sneijder transferred to Inter Milan for €15 million, where he experienced immense success. During his tenure at Inter, he clinched Serie A, the UEFA Champions League, the FIFA Club World Cup, and two Coppa Italia titles. In recognition of his stellar performances, he was named UEFA Midfielder of the Season in 2010 and was recognized as one of the top midfielders worldwide by FIFA.After a successful stint at Inter Milan, Sneijder moved to Galatasaray for €7.5 million in 2013. He contributed significantly to Galatasaray's triumph in the Süper Lig in his debut season and also helped secure the Turkish Super Cup with a 1–0 victory over rivals Fenerbahçe.


Sneijder's international career with the Netherlands was equally illustrious. He made his debut for the Dutch national team in April 2003 at the age of 18 and went on to represent his country in multiple FIFA World Cups and UEFA European Football Championships. Notably, Sneijder played a crucial role in the Netherlands' journey to the 2010 FIFA World Cup final, where they were narrowly defeated 1–0. Throughout his international career, he accumulated 134 caps, making him the most capped Dutch player of all time. Sneijder announced his retirement from international football in March 2018.


Individually, Sneijder received several accolades, including the 2010 Bronze Boot and the 2010 Silver Ball. He was also named in the team of the tournament for Euro 2008 and the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Additionally, Sneijder earned the title of Man of the Match in six out of eleven games played by the Dutch national team in these two tournaments.After retiring from professional football in 2019 following brief spells with Nice and Al Gharafa, Wesley Sneijder left an indelible mark on the sport, remembered for his exceptional talent and contributions to both club and country.


Wesley Sneijder's football journey began at a young age when he joined Ajax's renowned youth academy at seven years old, following his initiation with local Utrecht club DOS. Following in the footsteps of his older brother, Sneijder initially joined Ajax on trial but impressed the club's staff enough to secure a permanent contract. Sneijder's official debut for Ajax came on 2 February 2003, in a match against Willem II, which Ajax won 6–0. He quickly made an impact and became a regular starter for the team. Notably, he started in the Champions League quarter-final match against A.C. Milan on 23 April 2003, showcasing his talent on the big stage.


His first goal for Ajax came on 5 March 2003, in a KNVB Cup match against FC Groningen, which Ajax won 4–1. He followed this up with his first Eredivisie goal on 13 April, contributing to a 3–0 win against NAC Breda. Sneijder's impressive performances continued, and he played a crucial role in Ajax's title-winning campaign during the 2003–04 Eredivisie season.Sneijder's abilities were further highlighted during the 2005–06 season when he scored his first Champions League goal in a match against AC Sparta Praha. Ajax progressed to the knockout stage, with Sneijder making significant contributions.


In the 2006 KNVB Cup final, Sneijder played a vital role for Ajax, setting up Klaas-Jan Huntelaar's opening goal in a 2–1 victory over PSV, clinching the cup.During the 2006–07 season, Sneijder's goal-scoring prowess was evident as he scored 18 goals in the Eredivisie and 20 goals overall. His impressive performances attracted the attention of Real Madrid, and on 12 August 2007, Ajax agreed to sell Sneijder to Real Madrid for €27 million, making him the second most expensive Dutch football player at the time.Sneijder's time at Ajax was marked by numerous accomplishments and showcased his immense talent, laying the foundation for a successful career at the highest levels of European football.


Wesley Sneijder's tenure at Real Madrid during the 2007–08 season was marked by notable achievements and contributions to the team. He was part of a trio of Dutch players signed by Real Madrid that season, alongside Royston Drenthe and Arjen Robben. Sneijder inherited the number 23 jersey, previously worn by David Beckham, who had left the club after four seasons.In his debut La Liga match for Real Madrid, Sneijder made an immediate impact by scoring the winning goal in the Madrid Derby against Atlético Madrid. He followed this up with a brace against Villarreal CF on the second matchday, including a goal from a direct free-kick. Sneijder continued to impress throughout the season, culminating in a stunning free-kick goal in the final game against Levante UD at the Santiago Bernabéu. This goal took his tally to nine goals in the La Liga season, contributing significantly to Real Madrid's retention of the league title.


However, Sneijder encountered a setback when he suffered a suspected cruciate ligament injury during a pre-season friendly against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on 3 August 2008. Initial fears suggested a lengthy recovery period, but subsequent MRI scans revealed that the injury was not as severe as anticipated. Despite the setback, Sneijder managed to make a relatively swift recovery and was included in the starting lineup for the Champions League clash against Juventus in Turin.Following Robinho's departure to Manchester City for a significant fee, Sneijder was designated as Real Madrid's new number 10, signaling his importance to the team. The club officially confirmed this decision, and Sneijder embraced his new role, while his previous number, 23, was taken over by his compatriot and former Ajax teammate Rafael van der Vaart.


Wesley Sneijder's transfer to Inter Milan from Real Madrid in August 2009 marked the beginning of a highly successful stint with the Italian club. He quickly made an impact, debuting just a day after signing his contract and contributing to a resounding 4–0 victory over Milan in the Milan Derby.Sneijder's goal-scoring prowess became evident as he scored his first goal for Inter Milan in dramatic fashion, netting a late winner against Udinese in October 2009. He followed this up with notable goals, including a stunning free-kick against Catania and another crucial strike in the Champions League group stage against Dynamo Kyiv.

References

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