Sneijder sees Nijstad, who could have joined Barcelona, "first at Ajax, PSV or Feyenoord"

Sneijder advises 18-year-old Nijstad to gain experience at Ajax, PSV or Feyenoord before joining a top European club like Barcelona.

Ruud Nijstad, an 18-year-old Dutch centre-back at FC Twente, attracted interest from Barcelona and other major European clubs during the summer transfer window. Despite the appeal of a move to the Catalan club, Nijstad chose to stay at Twente and extended his contract until 2029 to continue his development.

Wesley Sneijder, the former Ajax, Inter and Real Madrid midfielder, believes Nijstad should gain experience at a top Dutch club before making the step up to elite European football. "If you don't perform well in two matches, you're out. I'd consider it a waste for a player like him," Sneijder said.

He suggested Ajax, PSV or Feyenoord as suitable intermediate steps, citing the unforgiving nature of elite clubs and pointing to Dean Huijsen's difficult adaptation at Real Madrid as a cautionary example.

Nijstad's father Maurice confirmed his son's decision to remain at Twente was his own choice, saying Ruud wanted to repay the club's faith in him before moving on.