Wesley Benjamin Sneijder born 9 June 1984, is a Dutch footballer playing as an attacking midfielder for Italian Serie A club Internazionale. In 2004, Sneijder was awarded the Johan Cruijff Award for Young Player of the Year in the Netherlands.
Due to his impeccable placement and confirmed ability to score from free kicks, Sneijder earned the reputation as a dead-ball specialist. With short stature, he is quick, strong on the ball, and his passing range is enhanced by his ambidexterity.
A product of the Ajax Academy, he previously played for AFC Ajax and Real Madrid, before signing for Internazionale in 2009. In his first season at the Italian club, Sneijder won the European Treble, consisting of Serie A, Coppa Italia and UEFA Champions League.
Sneijder previously represented various Youth squads for the Netherlands. He is now a regular player for the Dutch national team, having made his debut in April 2003 at the age of 18, and having represented his country at the 2006 World Cup and at two European Championships (2004 and 2008). He also played for his country at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, where he won the Bronze Boot and the Silver Ball.
Early life
Wesley Sneijder was born on 9 June 1984 in Utrecht into a football family: his father was a player, his older brother Jeffrey played for Stormvogels Telstar, and his younger brother Rodney plays for the youth academy of Ajax.
Personal life
Sneijder married Yolanthe Cabau van Kasbergen in 2010Sneijder married Ramona Streekstra on 18 June 2005. They have one son, Jessey, born 4 September 2006,to whom he dedicated a tattoo on his left arm. The couple divorced on 21 January 2009.
In August 2009 he began dating Dutch actress and presenter Yolanthe Cabau van Kasbergen. They became engaged in December 2009 and married on 17 July 2010. By her inspiration, Sneijder became Catholic and was baptized in Milan.
Sneijder has two brothers, Jeffrey Sneijder, a former footballer and Rodney who plays for Jong Ajax. In May 2008, it was reported that Sneijder had prevented his younger brother Rodney from a summer transfer to his club at the time, Real Madrid. Sneijder said, "Real Madrid wanted him and Rodney was very happy about that. But when I heard, I stopped the discussions. I am not in favour of juniors increasingly going to top clubs. I've told him that he first must make a break through at Ajax.
Personal information
Full name: Wesley Benjamin Sneijder
Date of birth: 9 June 1984 (1984-06-09)
Place of birth: Utrecht, Netherlands
Height: 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)
Playing position: Attacking midfielder
Club information
Current club: Internazionale
Number: 10
Youth career
1991–2002 Ajax
Senior career*
2002–2007 Ajax 127 (44)
2007–2009 Real Madrid 52 (11)
2009– Internazionale 45 (7)
National team‡
2003– Netherlands 74 (20)
