Legendary Juventus stopper Giorgio Chiellini, who moved to Los Angeles FC earlier in the summer window, was inches away from playing at Real Madrid more than a decade ago. However, the transfer deal didn’t go through partly because of José Mourinho, who had just arrived in the Spanish capital on the back of a historic treble win with Inter in 2009/10.
The ex-Italy international discussed the saga in an interview with Marca.
“I was close to Real Madrid in 2010, a long time ago. Mourinho wanted me. I didn’t know very well [why it fell through] because I was young, but in the end the club didn’t find a deal.”
However, Chiellini doesn’t regret missing out on the opportunity to play for Real Madrid.
“I think I was lucky to spend all my career in Turin because I made history with Juventus. But, for sure, Los Merengues are always a fantastic team.”
It is understood that the Special One was instrumental in how things panned out, as he proceeded to sign his favorite defender Ricardo Carvalho from ex-club Chelsea. Chiellini revealed in his autobiography that he could have moved to Los Blancos in 2010 and then to Manchester City in 2011.
“In the case of Real Madrid, my agent spoke to a club representative. I was very close to going. But Mourinho had just arrived and demanded to sign his compatriot Carvalho at all costs, so Juventus were happy to keep me. I also met with some directors from Manchester City in Milan, but in the end nothing happened.”
Chiellini spent 17 years in the Bianconeri colors, registering 36 goals in 561 caps.
 |
Follow us on Google News for more updates on Serie A and Italian football |