Wesley Sneijder is expected to be fit for the Netherlands‘ opening match against Italy on Monday despite pulling his hamstring in training this morning.

Injury fears
The Real Madrid CF midfielder, who celebrates his 24th birthday on the day of the Group C game, went straight off for treatment although the injury was not deemed serious enough to warrant a trip to hospital. KNVB press officer Kees Jansma said Sneijder will be fit to tackle the world champions in four days’ time. He trained on his own this evening along with Arjen Robben, who had been involved in a vigorous early session. For that same reason, Mario Melchiot, recently recovered from a groin strain, was rested by Marco van Basten.

Wesley Sneijder (born June 9, 1984 in Utrecht) is a Dutch professional footballer who is currently contracted to Real Madrid. He is also a regular member of the Dutch national team. His younger Brother Rodney Sneijder plays for AFC Ajax C1.

Club career

Ajax

Although Sneijder came through the Ajax youth academy, he is not a native of Amsterdam. He was born in Utrecht in a football family: his father was a player, his older brother Jeffrey plays for Stormvogels Telstar and his younger brother Rodney plays for the youth academy of Ajax.

Sneijder made his debut for Ajax in a 2-0 win at Excelsior on December 22, 2002 when manager Ronald Koeman, troubled by an injury-filled squad called him up, advised by Danny Blind, the then-coach of the Ajax youth-squad. He rapidly established himself in the role of midfield general and occasional left winger. Despite his short height, he is strong on the ball and his passing range is enhanced by his two-footedness.

Real Madrid

On August 12, 2007, Ajax agreed to sell Sneijder to Real Madrid for 27 million euros, according to the club’s web-site, making him the second most expensive Dutch football player. He was the second of three Dutchmen to sign for Real Madrid for the 2007 season joining Royston Drenthe and later Arjen Robben. He also was given the number 23 which was worn by David Beckham which he worn for 4 full seasons at Real Madrid.

In his first La Liga match for Real Madrid he scored the winner in the Madrid derby against Atlético Madrid. On the second matchday, he scored two goals against Villareal, one of which was from a free-kick.

Sneijder capped a fine first season in Spain by hitting a stunning free kick in the last game of the season against Levante at the Bernabeu and taking his goal tally to 9 in la liga in a season which also saw Real retain their title.

National team

Sneijder debuted with the Netherlands Under-21 side against Czech Republic on 28 March 2003. His first game with the Dutch national team was against Portugal on 30 April that same year, when he became the eighth youngest man to play for Holland in the team’s history.

Sneijder reached the Euro 2004 semifinals with the Netherlands. He began the competition warming the bench, but he soon found a spot in the starting eleven and scored two goals. He was a also a starter in the four matches the Oranje played in the Germany 2006 World Cup before they were eliminated by Portugal.

Personal

On 8 May 2008, it was reported that Sneijder had prevented his younger brother Rodney from a summer transfer to his current club, Real Madrid FC. Sneijder said, ""Real Madrid wanted him and Rodney was very happy about that. But when I heard, I stopped the discussions. I am not in favour of juniors increasingly going to top clubs. I’ve told him that he first must make a break through at Ajax."

In the popular EA Sports football game FIFA 08, Sneijder is left-footed; however, in real life, he is actually right-footed.

Individual awards

• 2004: Talent of the Year Ajax Amsterdam
• 2007: Player of the Year Ajax Amsterdam

Awards (at Ajax Amsterdam)

• National Championship: 2004
• KNVB Cup: 2006, 2007
• Johan Cruijff Shield: 2002, 2005, 2006, 2007

Awards (at Real Madrid)

• La Liga: 2008

Personal life

Sneijder married Ramona Streekstra on June 18, 2005. They have one son, Jessey, born September 4, 2006.