Every young athlete dreams of making it pro, but it’s a whole different ball game when you’re the son of a football legend.
Jessey Sneijder, son of former Champions League winner Wesley Sneijder, has just taken his first big step into professional football in his home country, the Netherlands.
From Local Roots to Professional Contract
Jessey, an 18-year-old attacking midfielder, started his journey at DHSC, the same youth academy his father once trained at in their shared hometown of Utrecht.
After impressing there, he moved on to the FC Utrecht academy, where he has been turning heads with the under-19 squad during the 2024-25 season.
Now, Jessey is set to feature for Jong FC Utrecht — the club’s reserve team competing in the second tier of Dutch football.
Signing his first professional contract with them is a dream come true, he said, marking both a milestone and the beginning of a new challenge.
The Dream Ahead
“This feels like a real reward for all my hard work since joining FC Utrecht’s academy,” Jessey shared after signing.
“But it’s just the start. I want to keep improving and, most importantly, get as many minutes on the pitch as possible with Jong FC Utrecht next season.”
The Sneijder Legacy
Jessey’s dad, Wesley Sneijder, is no stranger to football glory.
This year marks 15 years since Wesley played a starring role in Inter Milan’s historic treble-winning season under Jose Mourinho — including that famous Champions League final victory over Bayern Munich.
Before that, Wesley had made his mark at Ajax and Real Madrid.
His performance in 2010 even earned him fourth place in the Ballon d’Or voting, after leading the Netherlands to the World Cup final, narrowly missing out on the trophy after extra time.
After successful stints with clubs like Galatasaray, Nice, and Al-Ghafara in Qatar, Wesley retired in 2019 and has since worked with FC Utrecht — the same club his son now represents.
A Proud Father’s Message
Jessey’s contract extends through to 2028, showing the club’s belief in his potential.
And Wesley couldn’t be prouder. Sharing the news on Instagram, he wrote, “I am so very proud of you.
You joined FC Utrecht at 15, and now after three years, you’ve signed your first contract! Your perseverance and willpower have truly been rewarded.”
Looking to the Future
With such a strong football heritage and a promising start, all eyes will be on Jessey Sneijder as he embarks on what could be a remarkable career.
For now, he’s focused on growing, learning, and making his mark — one game at a time.