As Netherlands face Argentina tonight in their World Cup semi-final showdown, playmaker Wesley Sneijder has dubbed his team mate Arjen Robben the “Dutch Messi.”
Sneijder, 30, told Italian media that the Netherlands national team are just as dependant on midfield maestro Robben as Argentina are on their heroic striker Lionel Messi.
He told Gazzetta dello Sport: “Argentina have Messi, a crazy champion, but we have the Messi of Holland, whose name is Arjen Robben, and he’s having a fantastic World Cup.”
“Arjen is as important for us as Messi is for Argentina.
Sneijder, who was Netherland’s star performer in the 2010 South Africa World Cup, hailed Robben as the key man for Louis van Gaal’s side and insisted he is not fazed by having to play a supporting role this time around.
“Life is like this,” he said, “the years pass and things change.
“I don’t care if (Robin) Van Persie and Robben make more headlines in the papers.
“It’s not a game to see who becomes the most famous. It’s a game to see who wins the World Cup. My objective in 2010 was to win the cup, and it’s the same objective now.
“I also hope that Arjen wins the Golden Ball. There’s no jealousy in me. And it’s not only for him as a player either, because Arjen is also my friend.
“And if he wins the Golden Ball, maybe it will mean that it’s because he has won the World Cup. That way, everything’s perfect!”
Netherlands take on Argentina tonight in Sao Paolo. The winner will play Germany in the World Cup final on Sunday.