Euro 2016 winner Raphael Guerreiro has revealed that he turned down the lure of perennial La Liga and Europeanchampions Barcelona to instead sign for Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund, according to Canal + andreported byGoal.
Guerreiro signed for Dortmund from Ligue 1 side Lorientover the summer, for a fee in the region of€12m (£9.5m), but despite being the subject of Barca's interest, he oped to head to Germany, with the promise of first team football.
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Speaking to Canal+, the 22-year-old remarked that it was the correct decision, albeit difficult to turn down Barcelona - a move that would many footballers would not go with.
"It was a very difficult decision to say no to Barcelona."
Guerreiro added:"But there came a moment where I had to make a decision and Borussia Dortmund's offer convinced me the most."
The talented defender, a fledgling wing-back, is no doubt sure of his decision, and believes that regular first team action will be an important factor in his continued development:
"I need to play regularly this season get minutes under my belt in order to keep developing. And I have been fortunate that things have been going very well for me in Germany."
In a further twist that could perhaps explainhis Barca snub, Guerreirorevealedin 2014 that his dream is to play for Real Madrid, alongside his compatriot and national teammate Cristiano Ronaldo.