Former Inter hero Wesley Sneijder says Lautaro Martinez ‘must stay’, Christian Eriksen ‘can become a leader’ and claims he could have reached the heights of Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo: “I simply didn’t feel like it.”
The Dutch attacking midfielder retired last summer, after a stint at Al Gharafa in Qatar, and can look back at an illustrious career, winning trophies in four different countries.
Former Inter hero Wesley Sneijder says Lautaro Martinez ‘must stay’, Christian Eriksen ‘can become a leader’ and claims he could have reached the heights of Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo: “I simply didn’t feel like it.”
The Dutch attacking midfielder retired last summer, after a stint at Al Gharafa in Qatar, and can look back at an illustrious career, winning trophies in four different countries.
Starting at Ajax, he was picked up by Real Madrid in August 2007. His spell in the Spanish capital lasted for two years, before he became a key member in the historic Treble season at Inter.
“I could have become like Messi or Ronaldo. I simply didn’t feel like it,” he told Gianluca Di Marzio. “I enjoyed my life, maybe I had a glass for dinner.
“Leo and Cristiano are different; they’ve made many sacrifices. And that’s fine with me. My career, despite this, was still amazing.”
Sneijder claimed Christian Eriksen, who has struggled to convince coach Antonio Conte since his move from Tottenham in January, will eventually become one of the leaders in the group.
“Conte has a big squad and, with Eriksen in the team, he can finally make a leap in quality. Christian has done well at Ajax and then at Tottenham. Now, he has to establish himself in Italy.
“He has a lot of quality, with his characteristics, he can easily become one of the leaders in the new group.”
Barcelona have not been trying to hide their admiration of Lautaro Martinez in recent months, but the former hero claims the Argentine should stay in Italy.
“He’s very good, but he must stay in Italy. He can become one of the best, but first he needs to win something with the Nerazzurri,” Sneijder added.
“There’s a moment to do everything. He could play at Barcelona and of course, if he really wants to leave, I would have preferred a move to Real…”