Featured Image Credit: Ziggo Sport - Getty Images
Topics: Wesley Sneijder, Sergio Busquets, Spain, Netherlands
Jack Kenmare
Topics: Wesley Sneijder, Sergio Busquets, Spain, Netherlands
Wesley Sneijder described Sergio Busquets as "an absolute crybaby" and "a nasty guy to play against" as he ripped into the former Barcelona and Spain midfielder during a recent TV appearance.
For many years, Busquets was widely regarded one of the world's best midfielders.
He not only featured in a dominant Barcelona side alongside Xavi and Andres Iniesta but played a significant role for his country, lifting two major trophies – the World Cup in 2010 and the 2012 Euros.
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Vicente del Bosque, who spent eight years managing the Spain national team, once said, "You watch the game, you don't see Busquets. You watch Busquets, you see the whole game."
Even now, the Inter Miami midfielder makes everything tick and sees things seconds before anybody else.
There is no doubting Busquets' ability but former Netherlands international Wesley Sneijder wasn't a fan of his on-field antics.
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Speaking to Ziggo Sport, Sneijder expressed his fondness for Andres Iniesta, who recently announced his retirement from football after a trophy-laden career spanning 22 years.
But when the subject of Busquets came up, he was far from complimentary.
"Busquets was an extremely annoying player, always giving it to others but never able to receive," Sneijder said.
"As soon as he received one hit he would start crying. An absolute crybaby. I literally had fights with him every single game. At one point I told him: 'I will see you in Ibiza in the summer, then you and I will talk again.'"
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Sneijder added: "In 2010 we beat Barcelona 3-1 at home, then we had to go to Camp Nou and after eight minutes [Thiago] Motta hit him and Busquets started rolling on the ground while looking through his hands to see if Motta got a red card.
"Then he got up again and he was fine, the crybaby. A nasty guy to play against."
During the 2010 World Cup final, Sneijder went head-to-head with Busquets, who said Spain were more than capable of dealing with his threat ahead of kick-off. The rest, as they say, is history.