Wesley Sneijder latest top Dutch footballer considering comeback

Former Ajax, Real Madrid and Inter Milan midfielder to train with Utrecht-based amateur team

Wesley Sneijder seen here trsaining with French club Nice in August 2017. AFP

Wesley Sneijder is considering following in the footsteps of his former Netherlands teammate Arjen Robben and returning to playing football next season, according to Dutch media.

Sneijder, 36, will start training later this month with amateur club DOS Holland Stichtse Boys (DHSC), where his brother is on the technical staff, which could be the prelude to joining home town club FC Utrecht.

Sneijder, who enjoyed a glittering career playing for the likes of Ajax, Real Madrid and Inter Milan, last played professionally for Al Gharafa in the Qarar Sports League in 2019. He also won 134 caps for the Netherlands and played in the 2010 World Cup final.

His brother, Jeffrey Sneijder, told reporters the former Galatasaray midfielder was training with the club in a bid to improve his fitness.

"Wesley wants to lose weight and be busy. He did say that it might give him an itch to play again," Jeffrey said. "He's been out for a while. Wesley wants to experience what it is like to be back on the field after a while without football and regain the sense of enjoyment."

Last week, Utrecht's technical director Jordy Zuidam said he had spoken to Sneijder about a comeback.

"Let it be clear that a top fit Sneijder is very an interesting prospect for FC Utrecht but the ball is in his court," he told reporters.

Robben, who is also 36, last month announced he was returning a year after retirement to play with boyhood club Groningen, where he has signed a one-season deal.

_____________________

Players who returned after retirement