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Sneijder explains for the first time why he gained weight

Former Galatasaray star Wesley Sneijder has explained the reasons behind the physical changes he experienced after retiring from football.

Former Galatasaray star Wesley Sneijder has explained why his physique changed after he retired from football. The Dutch former player said he lost both his mother and father within a short period and spent around 3.5 years dealing with his family’s health problems. Here are Sneijder’s comments. The former Galatasaray star spoke candidly about his life after retiring from football. Sneijder said he learned that his father had cancer, and his mother later fell ill too. He said he lost his mother at the age of 59, around six months after she became ill. Just two months after her death, his father underwent another check-up, and doctors said his illness had progressed. Sneijder said his father agreed to treatment but also died around nine to ten months later. He stressed that both of his parents died from the same disease at around the age of 59. Sneijder said he spent around 3.5 years attending to his family and spending time at the hospital. During that period, he could not train regularly, and when he left the hospital, all he wanted was to have a drink and forget what he had been through. The former footballer acknowledged that the losses had also changed him physically. He said people who saw only his weight gain from the outside did not know about the major personal struggle he had been facing. Sneijder said he was now trying to get back into shape and was making good progress. In an emotional remark, the Dutch star said, “Losing weight will not bring my mum and dad back,” adding that the experience had affected him deeply, both physically and emotionally.