Wesley Sneijder stuns fans with astonishing comment about Declan Rice after Arsenal’s win over Real Madrid

Arsenal’s recent 3-0 victory over Real Madrid in the Champions League knockout stage has been a talking point for football fans across the globe. Among the key highlights of this match, one individual stood out, making history with an incredible display of skill and composure: Declan Rice. The English midfielder scored two stunning direct free-kicks, becoming the first player in Champions League history to do so in a knockout stage match. His performance not only contributed to Arsenal’s emphatic victory but also captured the attention of fans and pundits alike. Rice’s free-kick double has sparked widespread discussion, with many praising the midfielder’s precision and technique. However, there was one notable voice that stood out from the rest: that of former Netherlands international Wesley Sneijder. His controversial comments on Rice’s free-kick goals have shocked fans and created a stir in the football community.

Before diving into the opinions of Sneijder and other pundits, it’s important to understand the magnitude of Declan Rice’s performance. Rice’s two free-kicks were not just ordinary goals; they were groundbreaking, as he became the first player in Champions League history to score two direct free-kick goals in a knockout stage match. This achievement was remarkable for several reasons.

For one, scoring a free-kick at the highest level of European football is a feat in itself, as many players struggle to find the back of the net from set-pieces. However, Rice’s performance against the reigning European champions, Real Madrid, elevated the achievement to another level. It wasn’t just about scoring once; Rice scored twice within 12 minutes, both goals coming from free-kicks that showcased his technical ability and sharpness. This remarkable feat came after a long wait for Rice, who had gone 338 games without scoring a free-kick prior to this match.

After the game, Rice admitted that the two goals represented the best moments of his career to date. Understandably, he was overjoyed, having achieved something no one else in Champions League history had managed to do. His free-kick goals not only secured the victory for Arsenal but also earned him widespread praise across social media and from fans and pundits alike. It was a moment of personal triumph, and it seemed like nothing could overshadow the significance of his performance.

Despite the overwhelming praise that Rice received for his incredible free-kicks, one person who did not share the same enthusiasm was Wesley Sneijder. The former Dutch international, known for his sharp footballing mind, made a controversial comment on Ziggo Sport after the match that left many fans and experts puzzled.

Sneijder, who had been analyzing the match in the studio, took a different approach to evaluating Rice’s performance. Rather than focusing solely on Rice’s technique, Sneijder chose to point out what he saw as errors on the part of the Real Madrid defense, specifically their wall during the free-kicks. Sneijder argued that the positioning of the wall for Rice’s first goal was faulty, which, in his opinion, made it easier for Rice to score.

According to Sneijder, the wall for the first free-kick was not positioned properly, which allowed Rice to curl the ball around it and find the back of the net. He stated, “The wall wasn’t positioned properly for the first goal,” and further added that a right-footed player, like Rice, should never be able to score from that angle if the wall was correctly set up. Sneijder’s comments seemed to downplay Rice’s technical execution of the free-kick, suggesting that the wall’s poor positioning was the main reason the goal went in. He even went as far as saying, “A right-footed player should never be able to shoot around the wall from that angle. That shouldn’t be allowed.”

Sneijder was not alone in his assessment. Giovanni van Bronckhorst, the former Dutch footballer and manager who was sitting next to Sneijder in the studio, agreed with his fellow pundit. Van Bronckhorst, who had a successful playing career and understands the intricacies of defending set-pieces, believed that the positioning of the wall was indeed a key factor in allowing Rice to score.

“I think Wesley is right,” van Bronckhorst said, acknowledging that the wall was too far to the left, creating a gap that Rice exploited. He emphasized that this error in the wall’s positioning made it easier for the midfielder to bend the ball past the defenders and into the net. The two pundits’ criticism was aimed not at Rice’s skill but rather at the defensive lapses that, in their view, led to the goals.

It’s important to note that while both Sneijder and van Bronckhorst’s critiques were directed at Real Madrid’s defensive setup, they did not completely disregard Rice’s free-kicks. They still acknowledged the difficulty of scoring from such a distance and the need for precision. However, they seemed to place more emphasis on the mistakes made by Real Madrid’s defense than on the individual brilliance of Rice.

Sneijder didn’t stop at criticizing the wall; he also pointed the finger at Thibaut Courtois, Real Madrid’s goalkeeper, for his positioning on the second free-kick goal. According to Sneijder, Courtois made a mistake by taking a step to the right, which left him unable to react in time to save the shot.

“It is from a great distance. You see Courtois take a step to the right, which means he has no chance in his own corner. This is due to the uncertainty of the first goal,” Sneijder explained. He believed that Courtois, unsure of how to deal with Rice’s first free-kick, was hesitant in his movements, leading to him being caught out of position for the second one.

This analysis of Courtois’ positioning, combined with the earlier critique of the wall, seemed to suggest that Rice’s goals were more a result of defensive mistakes than individual brilliance. While Sneijder did acknowledge that Rice had taken advantage of the situation, his overall tone appeared to downplay the difficulty of the free-kicks themselves.

While Sneijder and van Bronckhorst were critical of the defensive setup, Clarence Seedorf, another footballing legend, offered a more balanced perspective on the situation. Seedorf, who had a successful career with clubs like AC Milan and Real Madrid, also spoke about the flaws in the Real Madrid defense but was quick to credit Rice for his exceptional execution of the free-kicks.

Speaking on Amazon Prime, Seedorf acknowledged that the Real Madrid wall had left too much space for Rice to exploit. “Rice read it well, he saw the space, but Courtois put up a bad screen,” Seedorf explained. He pointed out that the wall was too small, with only four players standing, which allowed Rice to curl the ball around it with relative ease. However, Seedorf also emphasized that even with a poor defensive setup, Rice still had to execute the free-kick perfectly to score. He praised the midfielder for his vision, composure, and ability to take advantage of the situation.

Seedorf’s analysis was more generous toward Rice’s technical ability, as he highlighted the midfielder’s precision and confidence in taking the free-kick. Unlike Sneijder, who focused on the defensive errors, Seedorf acknowledged that Rice had to be sharp in his decision-making and execution to capitalize on the space and score the goals.

The contrasting opinions from pundits like Sneijder and Seedorf have sparked a debate among fans and experts. On one hand, it’s clear that Real Madrid’s defensive setup, particularly the positioning of the wall and Courtois’ positioning, were not optimal. However, it’s also undeniable that Rice’s performance was extraordinary, especially given the pressure of the occasion.

Some fans believe that Sneijder was too harsh in downplaying Rice’s technical skill and focusing too much on the defensive errors. They argue that free-kicks at this level are incredibly difficult to execute, and Rice’s ability to score two in quick succession should be praised regardless of the defensive mistakes. After all, not many players could have scored two free-kicks of such quality, even with a poorly positioned wall.

Others, however, support Sneijder’s view that the goals were more a result of defensive lapses than individual brilliance. They argue that, in the context of high-level football, players like Rice are expected to take advantage of defensive mistakes, and the fact that he did so should not overshadow the fact that the goals were largely due to Real Madrid’s failure to properly defend set-pieces

In the end, Declan Rice’s two free-kick goals against Real Madrid will be remembered as one of the standout moments of the season. His achievement of becoming the first player in Champions League history to score two direct free-kicks in a knockout game is a testament to his growing stature as one of Europe’s top midfielders. While pundits like Wesley Sneijder may have been critical of the defensive setup, it’s impossible to deny the skill and composure Rice displayed in such a high-pressure match.

Whether or not the goals were made easier by Real Madrid’s mistakes, Rice’s performance deserves recognition. Football, after all, is about taking advantage of opportunities when they arise, and Rice did exactly that. His historic achievement is a reflection of his hard work, technical ability, and confidence, and it will surely be remembered as one of the defining moments of his career.