The Hague (AFP)

Iconic Dutch midfielder Wesley Sneijder, 36, retired from the pitch since his last competitive match in Qatar in 2018, is considering imitating Arjen Robben by wearing crampons in the Netherlands, local media reported.

The former international plans to exit his retirement from a professional player in the jersey of the club of his hometown, FC Utrecht, he suggested to supporters.

A group of some 75 fans was waiting for him singing Friday when he arrived near a club in the city, Ondiep, that of his debut, with a banner on which was written: "Flame another year".

In a video broadcast by local RTV Utrecht, supporters offer him a FC Utrecht jersey flocked to his name, with his favorite No. 10, asking him to "sign" his return.

Sneijder replied that he would "absolutely think about it".

"I have already spoken to Jordy (Zuidam, technical director of FC Utrecht)," he said a little later, according to local media.

Zuidam confirmed that he had spoken to the former player and that "a possible return has been raised," he said, quoted by Dutch public television NOS.

"The ball is in his court. Wesley now has time" to decide, he continued, adding that "a fit and motivated Sneijder (was) of course always interesting for FC Utrecht".

Sneijder could thus imitate his former teammate in selection Arjen Robben, who will make his return to professional football at FC Groningen at 36 years of age.

The big difference with Robben is that Sneijder has gained a few pounds and is currently "far from being in good shape", observes the NOS.

Sneijder, who has 134 caps with the Oranje (a record), had hinted in 2019 that he had finished his professional career.

Since then, the small player (1.70 m), who stood out for his vision of the game, his silky technique and his dribbling skills, has watched FC Utrecht matches from his own dressing room.

Trained at Ajax, Sneijder has never played for FC Utrecht. The Dutch N. 10 wore Real Madrid, Inter Milan and Galatasaray jerseys and played briefly in Nice before leaving for Al Gharafa in Qatar.

© 2020 AFP