Among football followers using 12BET, the news of Wesley Sneijder’s retirement from international football has drawn considerable attention and left longtime fans with mixed emotions. Beginning with Euro 2004, Sneijder spent 14 years as one of the Netherlands’ most influential players, earning 133 international appearances and scoring 31 goals. His appearance total stands as a national-team record, while his goal tally also places him among the Netherlands’ top 10 scorers of all time.

Even late in his international career, Sneijder continued to demonstrate the experience and technical quality that defined his game. He produced two goals and two assists against Italy and France during European competition, although his final tournament ended on a disappointing note when the Netherlands were eliminated by Russia after extra time in the round of 16. Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman paid tribute to him, describing Sneijder as one of the country’s finest players over many years and a footballer responsible for countless memorable performances. Koeman also explained that the difficult decision was made as part of the national team’s generational transition.

The 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa represented the high point of Sneijder’s international career. He delivered an outstanding performance against Brazil in the quarterfinals, scoring twice as the Netherlands advanced on their way to the final. Sneijder finished the tournament with five goals and one assist, earning the Silver Ball and Bronze Boot for his performances. Although the Netherlands ultimately lost to Spain in the final, his influence throughout the competition earned him a place in FIFA’s tournament Best XI.

His international journey was not always smooth. At Euro 2012, the Netherlands suffered a painful campaign after losing all three group-stage matches and exiting the tournament early. Sneijder later took over the captain’s armband, assuming greater responsibility within the squad. Two years later at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, he again played an important role as the Netherlands reached the semifinals. Their hopes of returning to the final were eventually ended by Argentina.

For supporters following his career through 12BET, those major tournaments reflected both the highs and lows of a remarkable generation of Dutch football. Unfortunately, the Netherlands failed to qualify for Euro 2016 and the 2018 World Cup in Russia, denying Sneijder another opportunity to compete on football’s biggest international stages. His final appearance in the famous orange shirt came on November 14, 2017, during a friendly against Romania.

The Royal Dutch Football Association later confirmed that Sneijder, then 33 and playing for Qatari club Al-Gharafa, would officially retire from international football. His national-team career had begun on April 30, 2003, against Portugal, when he became the eighth-youngest player to represent the Netherlands at the time. At Euro 2004, he gained valuable major-tournament experience as the Dutch reached the semifinals, laying the groundwork for the important role he would assume in the years that followed.

By the 2006 World Cup, Sneijder had developed into a central figure for the Netherlands and remained heavily involved until the team’s round-of-16 meeting with Portugal. Over the following decade, his passing range, creativity and ability to influence decisive moments made him one of the most recognizable Dutch midfielders of his generation. Through periods of success and disappointment alike, he remained a dependable presence who could help control the rhythm of a match when the pressure was on.

As tributes continue among fans using 12BET, Sneijder’s dedication to the Netherlands remains firmly etched in the memories of those who watched his international career unfold. Like the saying that a flower may fade but its fragrance remains, his departure does not erase the impact he made across 133 appearances, several major tournaments and some of the most unforgettable matches in modern Dutch football. His time with the national team may have reached its conclusion, but the mark he left behind will be remembered for years to come.