Wesley Sneijder considering following Robben out of retirement aged 36 with hometown club Utrecht
RETIRED Dutch football legend Wesley Sneijder has admitted that he is considering a return to action.
The 36-year-old hung up his boots last year following a spell with Qatari side Al-Gharafa.
But having seen compatriot Arjen Robben "follow his heart" to return after a year out of the game to re-join boyhood idols FC Groningen, Sneijder could follow suit.
Born in Utrecht, but having come through the fabled Ajax academy as a kid, Sneijder never got to play for his hometown team.
He has a good relationship with the club, however, and can often be seen watching games from his box at Stadion Galgenwaard.
And he could yet still pull on the shirt of his club, after technical director Jordy Zuidam confirmed that an offer is on the table.
He said: "We have talked about his possible return, it is up to him.
"Now he has time to decide if he likes the idea, but a Sneijder in good shape can be interesting."
This has sent fans into overdrive, with a particularly enthusiastic group sending Sneijder a replica shirt with his name on the back.
Sneijder has featured in charity matches since he retired and been seen in the stands at FC Utrecht
Amid the links, Sneijder himself has remained coy.
He said: "I have spoken to Jordy about the matter and I am going to think about it."
Ever the colourful character, the legendary No10 has revealed a number of details and thoughts about his career in his new book.
Opening up on just how good a player he could have been, he recently told DiMarzio: "I could have become like Messi or Ronaldo. I simply didn't feel like it.
"I enjoyed my life, maybe I had a glass [of wine] at dinner. Leo and Cristiano are different, they have made many sacrifices.
"And that's fine with me, my career however, was still amazing."
Sneijder came fourth in the 2010 Ballon d'Or, only falling behind the legendary Barcelona trio of Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Lionel Messi.
But had it been he, rather than Iniesta, that scored the winner in the World Cup final at Soccer City that year, it could easily have swung another way.
Sneijder, however, appears to have no regrets – after enjoying a still quite magnificent career while clearly enjoying himself alongside his young family.
But there could yet be one last twist in his remarkable career…
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