• Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • Lionel Messi
    • Cristiano Ronaldo
    • EA FC 25
    • Wrexham
  • Boxing
    • Tyson Fury
    • Anthony Joshua
    • Oleksandr Usyk
    • Mike Tyson
    • Jake Paul
    • Logan Paul
  • UFC
    • Dana White
    • Conor McGregor
    • Khabib Nurmagomedov
    • Jon Jones
    • Paddy Pimblett
    • Joe Rogan
  • Other Sport
    • Athletics
    • Formula 1
    • MMA
    • Motorsport
    • NBA
    • Darts
    • NFL
    • Snooker
    • Wrestling
    • Tennis
    • Cricket
    • Golf
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
"I could've become like Ronaldo and Messi, I simply didn't feel like it"

Home> Football

Updated 13:24 23 Aug 2023 GMT+1Published 10:44 9 Jun 2022 GMT+1

"I could've become like Ronaldo and Messi, I simply didn't feel like it"

The player "simply didn't feel like it" and enjoyed drinking wine instead.

Josh Lawless

Josh Lawless

Wesley Sneijder has claimed he could have been as good as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo but he "simply didn't feel like it" and preferred drinking wine.

In 2010, Sneijder had a claim to being the best player in the world, as he was the key man in Jose Mourinho's treble-winning Inter Milan, then scored five vital goals during the Netherland's run to the World Cup final that summer.

The midfielder missed out on the Ballon d'Or though, finishing fourth behind Barcelona trio Messi, Andres Iniesta and Xavi.

Advert

But Sneijder believes he was good enough to be as brilliant as the Argentina star - and his rival Ronaldo - on a more consistent basis, if he just didn't enjoy living his life as much.

"I could have become like Messi or Ronaldo. I simply didn't feel like it," he told Gianluca di Marzio.

Image
Alamy

"I enjoyed my life, maybe I had a glass [of wine] at dinner. Leo and Cristiano are different, they have made many sacrifices.

Advert

"And that's fine with me, my career however, was still amazing."

The Dutchman isn't wrong about how good his career was. The 2009/10 season was obviously the highlight as Mourinho's team won Serie A, the Coppa Italia and the Champions League.

After that incredible success he also helped his national team defy the odds in South Africa and reach the World Cup final, where they came up short against the incredible Spain team, in one of the most controversial finals in recent memory.

Sneijder also won Eredivisie, La Liga and Super Lig titles with Ajax, Real Madrid and Galatasaray respectively, and won the Silver Boot and Bronze Ball awards at the 2010 World Cup.

Advert

Image
Alamy

Sneijder also discussed the best teammate he ever had and Spanish midfielder Guti earns the honour.

The duo played together at Real Madrid between 2007 and 2009, with Sneijder saying: "When I started at Real Madrid, he didn't talk to me for three months, because he ended up on the bench because of me. But then we started playing together and we had an incredible understanding.

"He's a phenomenal player, probably the best I've ever played with."

Advert

Should Sneijder have won the Ballon d'Or in 2010? Let us know your thoughts.

Featured Image Credit: Alamy

Topics: Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo

Josh Lawless
Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and WWE. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has covered two WrestleMania events for SPORTbible.

X

@joshlawless_

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

6 hours ago
7 hours ago
9 hours ago
  • 6 hours ago

    Man Utd, Liverpool and Arsenal fans demand the same signing after watching Real Madrid vs Juventus

    Real defeated Juventus 1-0 to reach the quarter-finals of the Club World Cup.

    Football
  • 6 hours ago

    Real Madrid on the verge of making Club World Cup history after Juventus win

    Real defeated Juventus in a round of 16 clash at the Club World Cup.

    Football
  • 7 hours ago

    Real Madrid fans think it's time for a difficult conversation about one player despite Juventus win

    Not every Real fan was upbeat after their 1-0 win over Juventus.

    Football
  • 9 hours ago

    Brandon Williams linked with shock move to reunite with former Man Utd manager in bid to revive his career

    Williams has been a free agent since leaving United last summer.

    Football
  • Khvicha Kvaratskhelia makes Messi vs Ronaldo choice and fans are in agreement
  • YouTuber put prime Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo together in FC 25's worst team and the results were incredible
  • Retired treble winner claims he could have been in GOAT debate with Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi but 'didn't feel like it'
  • Lionel Messi gives rare insight into his relationship with Cristiano Ronaldo