Wesley Sneijder inducted into the Inter Hall of Fame: "It’s an honour to be a part of this family"

MILAN - Wesley Sneijder is now a member of the Inter Hall of Fame. The Dutch midfielder, born in Utrecht on 9 June is the third former Nerazzurri player to be inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2021, after Gianluca Pagliuca and Marco Materazzi had previously been voted in. Sneijder is the fourth midfielder to receive this prestigious recognition and is in the company of Lothar Matthaus, Dejan Stankovic and Esteban Cambiasso.

With the announcement of the winner in the midfielders category the next step will be to announce which forward will enter the Hall of Fame in March. Voting for induction into the Nerazzurri pantheon took place last November and four winners have been announced on a monthly basis since then.

It’s fair to say that Wesley Sneijder hit the ground running as an Inter player. Having touched down in Milan on 28 August 2009, the following day the Dutchman took the field in a 4-0 victory over Inter’s city rivals, enchanting fans from his very first touch. It was the start of a truly exceptional season in which Sneijder played a key role in the Nerazzurri’s treble triumph, getting on the scoresheet eight times in 2009/10. His contributions were vital in Inter’s Champions League campaign; he struck against CSKA and Barcelona in the Champions League as well as providing assists for Samuel Eto’o away at Chelsea in the Round of 16 and for Diego Milito in the final in Madrid against Bayern Munich.

It wasn’t just a stunning year at club level for the Dutchman; he came out of the 2010 World Cup as top scorer and with a runners-up medal. In total Sneijder represented Inter over three and a half seasons, making 116 appearances and scoring 22 goals. He had a special rapport with the San Siro faithful who still wax lyrical over his performances to this day.

"I’d like to thank all the Inter fans for choosing me for the Inter Hall of Fame: it’s a huge honour for me and I’m truly grateful. I’ll never forget what I went through with the Nerazzurri; that period is an important part of my life. Inter is like a family to me and I’m honoured to be a part of it,” commented Sneijder.

"In 2010 we rewrote history in winning the treble: I can't wait to go back to San Siro so that I can relive those amazing feelings the stadium gives you. I miss being in Milan, in our stadium, with our supporters. I hope I can celebrate this recognition that you have given me together with you all. Forza Inter, forever!”

INTER HALL OF FAME:  2018: Walter Zenga; Javier Zanetti; Lothar Matthaus; Ronaldo.2019: Francesco Toldo; Giacinto Facchetti; Dejan Stankovic; Giuseppe Meazza.2020: Julio Cesar; Giuseppe Bergomi; Esteban Cambiasso; Diego Milito.2021: Gianluca Pagliuca, Marco Materazzi, Wesley Sneijder.