The news of the comeback of two senior Dutch players was quite interesting. Comeback here means they are back from their retirement announcement. In 2019, Wesley Sneijder said to hang up shoes from his last club, Al Gharafa, Qatar. The 36-year-old will start training later this month at amateur team DOS Holland Stichtse Boys, which could be the prelude to joining home town club FC Utrecht.
While Arjen Robben decided to retire in 2018 from his last club, Bayern Munchen. In 2010 Sneijder became one of the 3 best midfielders in the world according to FIFA. The clubs he has defended are Galatasaray, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, Ajax and Nice.
Of all the clubs, the most memorable is Ajax Amsterdam. In the team dubbed the Children of God, the player born in Utrecht, 9 June 1984 recorded 43 goals in 126 appearances. That was his first professional club throughout his career as a footballer. In 2007 Sneijder was bought by Real Madrid for 27 million euros. In 2009, he was sold to Inter Milan for 15 million euros. In 2013, Sneijder was transferred to Galatasaray with 7.5 million euros. Before deciding to retire (2019) he defended Al Gharafa, Qatar. Sneijder is the most caps holder of the Dutch national team.
Not even after one year of retirement announcement, the Daily Mail reported Sneijder rose again. He reportedly intends to play with FC Utrecht, a team based in his hometown. Ad.nl quotes that Sneijder’s desire to play again was driven by compatriot Arjen Robben who was first to make a comeback.
During this time after he hung up his boots, Sneijder was appointed as Technical Director of FC Utrecht to help develop the club. Sneijder often visits the headquarters of his hometown team. One of FC Utrecht’s directors, Jordy Zuidam, confirmed that management had submitted an offer to Sneijder to join the squad. “I’ve talked to Jordy. I’ll think about it first, I also have a good relationship with the club owner,” responded Sneijder.
Arjen Robben himself decided to join his childhood team, FC Groningen. Robben (born January 23, 1984) did indeed start a career in his home area team. Other clubs he has defended are PSV Eindhoven, Chelsea and Real Madrid. But the longest is Bayern Munich (2009-2018). From 201 appearances for the Bundesliga giants, he scored 100 goals.
The most phenomenal achievement and catapulted the names of Sneijder and Robben was at the moment of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. They were the motor of the success of the Dutch national team in the 2010 World Cup until it reached the final.
At the top of the performance, the Dutch national team finally had to swallow a painful defeat, 0-1 to Spain. El Matador’s single goal was created by Andries Iniesta in the 116th minute in extra time round 2×15 minutes. After 90 minutes of normal time the score is still 0-0.
Escaped to the knockout round of Group E with status as group winners, in the last 16 the Orange Team defeated Slovakia 2-1 (Netherlands: Robben 18 ‘Sneijder 84’, Slovakia: Vittek 90 + 4 penalty). In the final round, Netherland won 2-1 over Brazil. Two goals from Sneijder and Robinho. In the semifinals the Orange Team defeated Uruguay 3-2. Netherland’s goal scored by Giovanni Van Bronckhorst in the 18th minute, Sneijder in the 70th minute, and Robben in the 73rd minute. Cavani 28 ‘and Forlan 51’ were Uruguay goalscorer.
Utrecht’s technical director Jordy Zuidam is open to the idea of Sneijder wearing the shirt his hometown club and has already held talks with him.
“Utrecht does not have the budgets that Wesley is used to at other clubs. He knows that better than anyone. Money has not yet been discussed. If Wesley is willing to do this, he will also help Utrecht,” Zuidam told De Telegraaf’s podcast. “It will not be a financial choice for him, but he then chooses a feeling. We talked about it that way. That is why we have not yet talked about money. He has asked the time and space to think seriously about it. If he is willing to make himself fit and ready, that is certainly interesting for Utrecht,” Zuidam added.
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