Sneijder stands out among cast of heroes
Reuters - Sunday 16 May 2010, 15:36
MILAN - Diego Milito's goals, Walter
Samuel's solid defence and the safe hands of Julio Cesar all
contributed hugely to Inter Milan's fifth straight scudetto but
Wesley Sneijder was perhaps the man to make the real difference.
The Dutch playmaker was unceremoniously kicked out of Real
Madrid at the start of the season, seen as vastly inferior to
the likes of Kaka, and Inter fans were slightly wary about
signing what appeared to be a washed-up player.
Instead the 25-year-old settled into Inter's side almost
immediately and soon began to link midfield and attack, one of
the biggest flaws in Inter's play over previous seasons.
Coach Jose Mourinho had been crying out for a playmaker and
will probably now be glad a move for his first choice Deco fell
through and Sneijder arrived.
His free kicks, quick thinking and boundless energy set up
countless goals and he also weighed in with four important
league strikes of his own.
He scored his most crucial goal in the 2-1 home win over
Udinese in October when he slotted in from a tight angle deep
into injury time to really endear himself to Inter fans.
"My best season ever? Yes. When you play the final of the
Champions League you can say that it's your best season ever,"
Sneijder told reporters, looking ahead to the final against
Bayern Munich on May 22.
He has consistently tracked back too and done his defensive
duty with the only real negative being the way he sometimes gets
stroppy on the field when things go against him.
The balding midfielder also has a remarkable Lazarus-like
ability, declaring himself fit for games which just days earlier
he had been ruled out of through injury.
A series of knocks have not compromised his effectiveness
and he could be one of the shining lights of the World Cup given
he is not as well known as the likes of Xavi or Frank Lampard.
Follow FFT.com on Twitter
Join FFT.com on Facebook