In an interview clip released this month, Dutch legend Sneijder talked about missing out on the Ballon d'Or in 2010, saying that 15 years later, he has come to terms with it.
The host asked Sneijder, 'Many people say you should have won the Ballon d'Or that year. You won the Champions League with Inter and played in the World Cup final. Do you think it was unfair that Messi won it instead?'
Sneijder replied, 'For me, Messi was the best player in the world that year. But if you look at who was more successful that year, I did achieve more honors.
'I understand... I understand. But now it's 2025. Fifteen years have passed, a full 15 years, and we're still talking about this topic. You still tell me that I should have won, and I'm content with that.
'Imagine if I had won the Ballon d'Or, and 15 years later, people were still saying 'this guy didn't deserve it.' Compared to that, winning the Champions League but not the Ballon d'Or makes me feel more satisfied now.
'If I had to choose, giving up the Champions League trophy for the Ballon d'Or? That's absolutely impossible.'
