Dutch midfielder Sneijder retires from soccer

THE HAGUE - Dutch star midfielder Wesley Sneijder, 35, on Monday announced his retirement from soccer.

During an interview with local broadcaster RTV Utrecht, Sneijder, born in Utrecht, said that he would join the business club of FC Utrecht and admitted that he took this decision "since he has stopped playing soccer".

Since he left Al-Gharafa in Qatar this summer, Sneijder has been without a club. With his words on Monday, the career of one of the best players of his generation is definitely over.

Sneijder is the Dutch record international with a total of 134 matches for the national team from 2003 until 2018. He scored a total of 31 goals for his country.

Sneijder played for the Netherlands at the European Championships of 2004, 2008 and 2012 and the World Cups of 2006, 2010 and 2014. He shone ever with Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie, who also retired this year.

His best period was around 2010 when the midfielder led "Oranje" to the World Cup final in South Africa with five goals, including two goals against Brazil in the quarterfinals.

Four years later, a less dominant Sneijder was also part of the Dutch team that finished third at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Sneijder started his club career at Ajax and in 2007 he moved to Real Madrid, followed by Internazionale, Galatasaray and OGC Nice. He achieved his biggest success with Inter under coach Jose Mourinho in 2010 when he won the Champions League and the Italian double.