Real Madrid have had more than their fair share of superstar signings over the years. But in a new autobiography it has been claimed by that Los Blancos offered a playing contract to a footballer who was widely regarded as one of the best to ever play in The English Premier League.
Ex-Manchester United midfielder Roy Keane has lifted the lid on an explosive career with the second instalment of his biography. In it he says that he was offered the chance to play for Real Madrid when his career at United came to an abrupt end. He said:
‘Michael had given me a heads-up that Emilio Butragueno would be phoning, so I took my mobile phone everywhere with me.
‘He said: “Look Roy, we’ll be glad to have you.” The club’s board just had to sanction the deal.’
‘I should have appreciated Real’s offer more. It was the most attractive challenge in front of me but I didn’t accept it.
‘In hindsight, I should have said to myself: ‘Go, go to Spain, live there for a year and a half, learn the language, learn the culture.’
‘I took a negative approach. The weather and the training might have given me another lease of life, another two years of playing.
‘As much as anything else, it was fear that decided me – fear of the unknown.’
Roy was 34 at the time and knee problems had blighted some of his career. In his prime he had the technique and power to improve any side in the world. But perhaps he could have extended his career in the slightly slower pace of La Liga. Sadly, we will never know.
What is for sure is that Real Madrid would have been employing a real character who didn’t suffer fools.
