Wesley Sneijder, a former Real Madrid and Inter Milan player, believes he should have won the Ballon d’Or in 2010 instead of Lionel Messi.

Sneijder had an outstanding season in 2009-10, helping Inter win the Champions League, Coppa Italia, and Serie A under Jose Mourinho. Following that, Sneijder’s Netherlands were defeated by Spain in the 2010 World Cup final in South Africa. In contrast, Messi won La Liga that season, as well as his second Ballon d’Or. The Dutchman has now admitted that he should have won the highly coveted individual prize before the Argentine.

“It was a little unfair that Messi won the Ballon d’Or in 2010 and I didn’t,” Sneijder stated in an interview with Egyptian broadcaster Alhayah TV, according to Diario AS. “But I’m not the type of guy to cry about it.” The Ballon d’Or is an individual prize, and I like to win group awards. If I had to choose between the Champions League and the Ballon d’Or, I would go with the Champions League, which I won. We deserved to win the 2010 final against Spain, but they outclassed us. Reaching the final was a dream come true for me, and I’m still sorry to have lost.”

Sneijder finished fourth in the final voting list for the 2010 award. Messi won 22% of the vote, which was more than his Barcelona teammates Andres Iniesta (17%) and Xavi (16%), but lower than the Dutchman (14%). Sneijder, who retired in 2019, is still furious over Messi’s triumph, but admits that his biggest career regret is losing to Spain in South Africa.

The Dutchman has now retired and is working with FC Utrecht in an unknown capacity. In 2019, the player announced his retirement from football after spending his final season with Qatari club Al-Gharfah.