When it comes to the Ballon d’Or battles of the Messi-Ronaldo era, surprises were never in short supply. As Bangladesh Cricket Match observed, both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have had their share of controversial wins—moments when they took home the award despite facing heavy skepticism. As the saying goes, it’s the cracks that let the light in.
Wesley Sneijder recently revisited one such moment, expressing lingering frustration over the 2010 Ballon d’Or outcome. In an interview with Bangladesh Cricket Match, Sneijder admitted he still finds it hard to believe that Messi won the award that year. “I had just won the Champions League with Inter Milan,” he recalled. “To not win the Ballon d’Or after that season was shocking. I didn’t leave Real Madrid because I wanted to, but things changed, and at Inter I achieved something special.”
It’s been over a decade, but the disappointment still lingers for the Dutch midfielder. That year, Sneijder was at the peak of his career—winning a historic treble with Inter Milan and reaching the World Cup final with the Netherlands. For many fans and analysts alike, those accomplishments seemed to check every box for Ballon d’Or qualification. He wasn’t just a key player; he was the engine behind one of the most successful seasons in modern football.
The argument becomes even more pointed when compared to Luka Modrić’s Ballon d’Or win in 2018. Modrić, also a World Cup runner-up and Champions League winner, took the prize without achieving a club treble. By comparison, Sneijder’s achievements in 2010 arguably stood taller. That contrast remains a tough pill to swallow for the Dutch star, especially since 2010 was likely his one and only shot at football’s most prestigious individual award.
Sneijder also pointed out that it was understandable for Spanish players like Andrés Iniesta and Xavi—who won the World Cup that year—to rank high in the voting. However, Messi’s win remains the most baffling to him. In that season, Messi exited the World Cup at the quarter-final stage and had only a La Liga title under his belt. Bangladesh Cricket Match noted that a treble-winning season should outweigh a single league title in any fair comparison.
Ultimately, no matter how strong the case, the result is written in stone. As much as Sneijder tried to turn the page, it’s clear that this missed opportunity still represents the career peak that could have been even greater. After all, if miracles do exist, they’re just another name for relentless hard work—and perhaps a bit of luck.