At 35, ex-Inter Milan, Holland star Sneijder retires from football

Former Inter Milan and Holland midfielder Wesley Sneijder has called time on his professional footballing career. 

The 35-year-old had been playing for for Al-Gharafa in Qatar but has now announced he is retiring from the sport.

Instead he has agreed to join the FC Utrecht Business Club, where he will watch home games this season from the comfort of his own skybox at the Dutch outfit’s stadium.

In his prime Sneijder was regarded as one of the best attacking midfielders in the world, beginning his career at Ajax before earning a move to Real Madrid in the summer of 2007.

The Dutchman contributed 11 goals and 11 assists in 66 appearances during his two seasons in Spain, winning a La Liga title before departing for Inter Milan following the signing of Crsitiano Ronaldo.

He would then enjoy the best spell of his career, winning a famous treble under Jose Mourinho in 2010 before playing a huge role in Holland’s journey to the World Cup final that summer.

Sneijder spent three more years in Milan before playing for Galatasaray, Nice and finally Al-Gharafa.

SNEIJDER’S CAREER 

Ajax (02-07)

180 games, 58 goals, 45 assists

Real Madrid (07-09)

66 games, 11 goals, 11 assists

Inter Milan (09-13)

116 games, 22 goals, 35 assists 

Galatasaray (13-17)

175 games, 45 goals, 44 assists

Nice (17-18)

8 games, 1 assist 

Al Gharafa (18-19)

27 games, 16 goals, 6 assists 

Leave a Reply