Dutch Legend Wesley Sneijder Retires

Wesley Sneijder. Photo by Paul Greenwood/BPI/Shutterstock (5367731cr)

One of the best Dutch players in recent history, the 34-year-old Wesley Sneijder has decided to hang up his boots and retire from professional soccer. Sneijder signed a contract with FC Utrecht, the team from his home town until the end of the season but he will not play a single match in the following season. 

A product of the Ajax Youth Academy, Sneijder made his first steps in the most popular club in The Netherlands, signing a trial contract with the club. He impressed the coaches and was given a permanent contract.

Sneijder made his debut for Ajax in 2003 against Willem II in a 6-0 win. In that very same year, Sneijder established himself in the first team, starting against AC Milan in the Champions League quarter-finals. 

He was sold to Real Madrid for a fee of $27 million in 2007, winning the La Liga title in his first season with the club, only to be sold to Inter Milan in 2009 for $15 million. That transfer to Inter made Sneijder one of the best midfielders after winning the Serie A, Italian Cup and the UEFA Champions League title in one season. 

I've been delivering all types of quality content since 2011, both as an independent contributor and as head of my own writing department with just one goal in mind - to leave the reader happier than before they clicked!