Wesley Sneijder Reflects on Ballon d’Or 2010: Champions League Glory Over Individual Accolades
In a recent interview with Diario AS, former Inter Milan and Dutch international midfielder Wesley Sneijder revisited the 2010 Ballon d’Or edition, expressing his belief that he deserved the prestigious award.
Reflecting on the outcome, Sneijder remarked, “It was a bit unfair that I didn’t win the Ballon d’Or, and Messi won it. But I’m not a guy who will cry about it. The Ballon d’Or is an individual award, and I prefer to win team trophies.”
Despite having an exceptional season and securing the treble with Inter, along with a World Cup silver with the Netherlands, Sneijder acknowledged the priority he placed on team achievements. He emphasized, “If I had to choose between the Champions League and the Ballon d’Or, I would choose the Champions League that I won. I am very happy with that title.”
While individual performances, leadership qualities, and overall impact on the game play a crucial role in the Ballon d’Or vote, Messi’s extraordinary individual brilliance prevailed in 2010. The Argentine maestro recorded an impressive 60 goals for both club and country during that period.
