A losing Ballon d'Or finalist has insisted it was "unfair" that Lionel Messi won the award instead of him.
Ex-Inter Milan star Wesley Sneijder has admitted that he still feels hard done by about losing out on arguably the biggest individual prize football has to offer to the Argentine in 2010.
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The former midfielder proved a dominant creative force with three goals and six assists in 11 appearances as the Nerazzurri claimed the third UCL title in the club's history that year, ending their 45-year wait for a European triumph.
Their continental success coupled with the club's domestic dominance saw them become the first-ever Italian side to win the famed treble.
Sneijder made 41 appearances in all competitions that season, scoring eight goals and contributing with 15 assists to play an instrumental role in Inter's league and cup campaigns.
The Netherlands international was also part of the Netherlands side that reached the final of the 2010 FIFA World Cup held in South Africa, but fell just short of the finish line, losing out to Spain, who beat them 1-0 courtesy of an iconic Andres Iniesta goal in the decider.
Messi, meanwhile, also had a stunning individual season in which he helped FC Barcelona to a league title, accumulating an incredible 47 goals and 12 assists in 53 appearances that ultimately saw the Argentine win his second Ballon d'Or at the time.
The Dutchman, however, remains adamant that it is he who should have won the prestigious accolade that year.
"It was a little unfair that I didn't win the 2010 Ballon d'Or and Messi did," Sneijder said during an interview with Egyptian channel Alhayah TV, via GOAL.
"But I'm not a guy who cries about that. The Ballon d'Or is an individual award, and I prefer to win collective trophies.
"If I had to choose between the Champions League and the Ballon d'Or, I would choose the Champions League I won, I'm very happy with that title.
"We deserved to win in the 2010 final against Spain, but they were incredible and beat us. Reaching the final was a wonderful achievement that I dreamed of and I'm still heartbroken to have lost."
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