)
Retired Dutch midfielder Wesley Sneidjer opens up losing the 2010 Ballon d'Or to Lionel Messi.
The contentious 2010 Ballon d’Or award has again been brought to the fore, this time by an aggrieved Wesley Sneijder, who, like many football fans, believes he deserved the honour over the winner, Lionel Messi.
Sneijder’s impressive campaign for the period in view saw him win the treble, culminating in an impressive World Cup run where he and the Netherlands reached the final but eventually lost out to a terrific Spanish side by the slimmest of margins.
)
14:01 - 04.12.2023
Luis Suarez's says goodbye to Gremio, set to join Lionel Messi at Inter Miami
In a move sparking excitement across the football world, Luis Suarez bids a heartfelt farewell to Gremio, setting the stage for a high-profile reunion at Inter Miami with football legends Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba.
)
03:19 - 02.08.2024
Cristiano Ronaldo: 5 records held by CR7 that Messi can NEVER break
Cristiano Ronaldo will go down as one of the greatest footballers in history and there are some records set by the Portuguese icon that may never be broken.
What Sneijder said
Despite a season packed with achievements and string performances in big games, the former Real Madrid midfielder was snubbed altogether for the podium, talk more, the award.
The top three for that year were famously La Masia, with Messi coming in first and World Cup winners Andres Iniesta and Xavi Hernandez finishing second and third, respectively.
)
Sneijder was voted fourth place and in an interview with Egyptian TV channel Alhayah, he reminisced about his year of great success at the club level and failure on the national and personal strata—losing out on the biggest international and individual awards.
"It was a little unfair that I was not crowned with the 2010 Ballon d'Or and Messi won it,” he said, per AS.
)
“Although I'm not the guy who cries about that: the Ballon d'Or is an individual award, and what I prefer is to win collective trophies. 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."
Speaking on Oranje’s failure in South Africa, he said, “We deserved to win in 2010 against Spain, but the Spanish National Team was more than incredible and surpassed us. Reaching the final is a wonderful achievement that I dreamed of and I am still heartbroken to have lost that title.”
Related content
14:01 - 04.12.2023
Luis Suarez's says goodbye to Gremio, set to join Lionel Messi at Inter Miami
In a move sparking excitement across the football world, Luis Suarez bids a heartfelt farewell to Gremio, setting the stage for a high-profile reunion at Inter Miami with football legends Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba.
)
14:09 - 03.12.2023
GOAT DEBATE: 5 Lionel Messi records Cristiano Ronaldo may never break
In the realm of football, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo stand as titans, each setting records that have defined an era of the sport.
03:19 - 02.08.2024
Cristiano Ronaldo: 5 records held by CR7 that Messi can NEVER break
Cristiano Ronaldo will go down as one of the greatest footballers in history and there are some records set by the Portuguese icon that may never be broken.
)
17:22 - 28.01.2024
Messi is magic — Cristiano Ronaldo heaps praise on long-time rival
Al Nassr superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has opened up on his relationship with Argentine World Cup winner Lionel Messi.
)
16:54 - 02.12.2023
My Lionel Messi mistake that cost us Champions League: Ex-Man United boss Sir Alex Ferguson
Former Manchester United boss has revealed the mistake he made in the 2011 UEFA Champions League defeat to Barcelona.
)
22:52 - 01.12.2023
Ballon d'Or Showdown: Messi's revelation — Why he dribbled Lewandowski in World Cup anger at Qatar 2022
Lionel Messi narrates why he dribbled Robert Lewandowski in anger at the Qatar 2022 World Cup clash between Argentina and Poland.
)
19:08 - 01.12.2023
That is when he changed — Angel Di Maria reveals incident that transformed Lionel Messi
Argentine World Cup winner Angel Di Maria has revealed a series of incidents that changed Lionel Messi's behaviour.
)
12:05 - 01.12.2023
Messi's 2022 World Cup jerseys to sell for over ₦6 billion in special auction
Jerseys worn by Lionel Messi at the 2022 FIFA World Cup have gone on auction until mid-December and will cost an arm and a leg
)
20:43 - 30.11.2023
Lionel Messi: 3 reasons why the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner is considered a flop at Inter Miami
Recent reports suggest that Lionel Messi's time at Inter Miami is being viewed as underwhelming by fans of the club and here are three reasons why.
)
09:06 - 30.11.2023
They will take over from me — Cristiano Ronaldo reveals two players to replace him as world's best
Al Nassr superstar Cristiano Ronaldo believes there are two players who could fill his boots after his retirement.
)
08:55 - 30.11.2023
'You must forget about retirement' - Argentina boss tells Lionel Messi
Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni has advised Lionel Messi to continue playing as long as he can.
)
10:15 - 29.11.2023
He took the Ballon d'Or away from him — Barcelona star makes surprise claim regarding Ronaldo vs Messi GOAT debate
Barcelona forward Ferran Torres has given a detailed explanation defending his choice in the GOAT debate.
)
08:35 - 29.11.2023
Not Messi, Mbappe or Ronaldo: PSG boss Luis Enrique names ex-Barcelona star as most influential footballer
Luis Enrique has given a surprise response when revealing the most influential player in world football.
)
08:01 - 29.11.2023
Rio Ferdinand claims Messi UNFOLLOWED Garnacho on Instagram after calling Ronaldo GOAT
Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has claimed that Lionel Messi unfollowed Alejandro Garnacho on Instagram.
)
07:59 - 28.11.2023
Messi will never do this — Fans salute Ronaldo for gesture after referee mistake
Fans have hailed Cristiano Ronaldo for his sportsmanship in Al Nassr's clash against Persepolis.
)
03:52 - 28.11.2023
Popular Nigerian actor Aki chooses the GOAT between Messi and Ronaldo
Nollywood icon Chinedu Ikedieze gets involved in the GOAT debate between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)