The iconic Dutch playmaker retired from football in 2019 after a stint with Qatari side Al Gharafa, before returning to the pitch for a recent charity game to raise money for Ukraine. But the 37-year-old stepped onto the field boasting a ‘fuller figure’ compared to what many would have remembered.
Sneijder’s different look prompted cheeky comments from fans on social media as they were left confused at the notable difference since his last club appearance. And the 2010 World Cup finalist was even compared to fellow former pro Samir Nasri, who gained attention last year for sporting a pot belly in a legends match for the Didier Drogba Foundation.
One fan commented on Sneijder’s appearance on Twitter: “Pardon? He wasted no time.”
Another tweeted: “Wait, that’s Wesley Sneijder
?” And a third added: “The same thing happened with Nasri.”
Others came to the defence of the former attacking midfielder, with one fan in particular saying: “I don’t understand the comments about his physique, he has devoted his whole life to top-level sport with a very strict lifestyle.
“He has been retired for almost 3 years, he is enjoying life, he owes nothing to anyone and especially not to you!”
Polish website SPORT.PL reports the 2010 treble winner weighed around 67kg as a footballer. They went on to claim he has since ballooned up to a whopping 120kg since retiring.
Ex-Arsenal star Nasri received similar attention on social media after just one month out of the game.
Having once been considered one of the finest players in the Premier League, the Frenchman called time on his career aged just 34.
