Wesley Sneijder has reflected on his past record with both Real Madrid and Jose Mourinho, commenting on his preference for the latter.
The playmaker spent two seasons in the Spanish capital between 2007 and 2009, before joining Mourinho at Inter, where they worked together for a single term.
The 28-year-old, who will come up against his former team and his former Coach this Wednesday in the Champions League quarter-final with Galatasaray, reflected on his past time with both.
“I certainly do [have happy memories of Madrid]. I still have a lot of friends there, and I have terrific memories of the team and the people at the club,” began Sneijder to Marca today.
“There is no reason why I would have any bad memories of that stage of my life. I had a very good season, and we won the league, and I enjoyed my football a lot.
“And then I had another bad season because of my personal problems.
“[I left for Inter] and we were champions of Europe. Football’s like that and there are a lot of ups and downs.
“I went to Inter, where I was with Mourinho and I also did well. We won the European Cup and everything turned out well for me.
“Mourinho is like a second father to me. Did I get on with him? Look, Mourinho is a powerhouse. In football we have powerhouses who are players, and ever since I met Mourinho, we can say that there are powerhouses who are managers.
“And he certainly is, without any doubt at all. He is a very special person for me. As a Coach he is incredible, number one.
“It was he who gave me confidence, and I enjoyed playing football like never before. And as a person he reaches you much more than in his role as coach. Mourinho is a friend.”
Saying that he loves Mourinho more than Madrid, Sneijder was asked what makes the Portuguese Coach so different.
“It's not easy to explain. You have to be with him to find out just what he is like. The key to him is how he convinces you, how he helps you if things aren’t going well for you…
“He is on top of everything and always knows how to help a player, sometimes doing one thing, sometimes another, but whatever he does it is for the good of the club, the player and the person.”
The Dutchman then turned his attention to this Wednesday’s Champions League quarter-final meeting and reflected on what it means for Galatasaray.
“You can't imagine. The Champions League is a very important competition for Real Madrid, but you just can't imagine how we are feeling here.
“For this club it is not such a common occurrence, and the excitement is at an all-time high here.
“We shall go to the Santiago Bernabeu with the belief that we can do well. We know that it will be a very difficult and complicated game, but we have a good side here.
“I believe in my team and as long as we don't lose confidence, we will make something of this tie.
“Will I score? I wish! It would be a great thrill, and I’m not saying I won’t celebrate a goal, because I think I will.
“I don’t know how I would react at a moment like that, but clearly it would be a very special goal, and anyway, not celebrating goals doesn’t achieve anything.”
