Bayern Munich midfielder Xabi Alonso has claimed that he almost signed for Real Madrid over Liverpool in 2004. The 35-year-old was a Real Sociedad player at the time and he admits that his career almost took a different turn, but Madrid were too lax in their interest.
The World Cup winner announced his retirement from football on Tuesday after a glittering career for both club and country. The Spaniard amassed 16 major trophies during his time and he did eventually move to the Bernabeu in 2009 for £30m.
According to reports from theDaily Star, Alonso said: "The first interest was from Real Madrid but the negotiations between the two clubs took too long.
"I think that in the middle of August came Liverpool's strong interest.
"They were very determined and it gave me a lot of confidence that this club really wanted me.
"I was really eager to take that experience, go to another country, to be able to prove myself because I was just 22 and I wasn't that familiar with Liverpool.
"As soon as I got there everything started to get rolling."
The central midfielder warmed to the Premier League and he became a fans favourite with his great range of passing and outrageous long-range finishes.
However, Liverpool's Champions League success in 2005 was Alonso's most savoured moment and he has fond memories of that night in Istanbul.
"It wasn't our best Liverpool team. Two years later, it was probably better, but that's football.
"Everyone remembers, here in Germany, Spain, the States, in Japan, China - everyone remembers that final.
"That's history and it will be remembered forever in the books.
"I can't really explain how it happened but we got it for a fifth time."