Dutch · Utrecht, Netherlands · Born 9 June 1984Dutch midfielder who reached 2010 World Cup final and won Champions League with Inter Milan, known for his playmaking ability and long-range shooting.
Wesley Sneijder was born in Utrecht, Netherlands on 9 June 1984. Ajax developed him before Real Madrid paid €27 million in 2007. Inter Milan signed him for €15 million in 2009 and he was the decisive player in their 2010 Treble — winning the Champions League, Serie A and Coppa Italia under Mourinho. He scored in every round of the Champions League knockout stages that year. He earned 134 caps for the Netherlands — their most-capped player — reaching the 2010 World Cup Final where the Dutch lost 1-0 to Spain in extra time. He was named the best midfielder of that World Cup. The 2010 Ballon d'Or was considered his by most observers, but he was controversially overlooked in favour of Messi, Ronaldo and Iniesta. He later played for Galatasaray, Nice and Al-Gharafa before retiring in 2019. He held the record as the first player to reach 100 caps with only 5 yellow cards.
Key player in Inter Milan's 2010 Champions League triumph
He became the most capped player in Netherlands history with 134 appearances.
Did You Know?How They Played
Creative attacking midfielder with exceptional passing range and set-piece ability
Lasting Impact
One of the most gifted Dutch playmakers of his generation
Career Honours
- Champions League 2010 (Inter Milan)
- Serie A 3x
- World Cup Final 2010
- 134 Netherlands caps
- Champions League 2010
- Serie A 2010
- Copa del Rey 2008
- Eredivisie 2004
| Club | Period | Apps | Goals | Shirt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ajax | 2002–2007 | 110 | 22 | #11 |
| Real Madrid | 2007–2009 | 66 | 14 | — |
| Inter Milan | 2009–2013 | 138 | 22 | — |
| Al-Gharafa | 2018–2019 | 12 | 2 | — |
| Nice | 2017–2018 | 16 | 2 | — |
| Galatasaray | 2013–2017 | 175 | 46 | — |
 Netherlands | — | 134 | 31 | — |
Dutch Athletes