Felipe Melo thanks ‘phenomenal’ Juventus, even if Inter were his first choice, and claims a stamp on Arjen Robben denied him a move to Real Madrid in 2010.
Melo has been in the news lately after Giorgio Chiellini called him ‘the worst of the worst’ in his new autobiography.
Although he signed for Juve in the summer of 2009 from Fiorentina, the former Galatasaray midfielder openly admits he was holding out for their arch-rivals instead.
“Everyone wants to play for Real Madrid,” he told AS.
Felipe Melo thanks ‘phenomenal’ Juventus, even if Inter were his first choice, and claims a stamp on Arjen Robben denied him a move to Real Madrid in 2010.
Melo has been in the news lately after Giorgio Chiellini called him ‘the worst of the worst’ in his new autobiography.
Although he signed for Juve in the summer of 2009 from Fiorentina, the former Galatasaray midfielder openly admits he was holding out for their arch-rivals instead.
“Everyone wants to play for Real Madrid,” he told AS.
“When Madrid or Barcelona call you, you have to drop everything and go. They’re two incredible clubs.
“I would’ve liked to play for Real Madrid, but I still managed to play for Inter. When I was at Fiorentina, I remember Inter calling me.
“I wanted to go to Inter, not Juve. But ultimately Juve paid the clause and I went there. For that, I thank Juve very much because I got to know the Juventus world.
“It was phenomenal. For me, they’re among the five best clubs in the world.”
The Brazilian was sent off for a stamp on Robben in the 2010 World Cup quarter-finals, around the time Madrid were negotiating a deal for the then-Juve man…
“We had everything agreed, it was all done, but, well, it happened and it is what it is. I stayed at Juve and then I went to Galatasaray.
“But look at how beautiful [my time there was]! There, I became the best Brazilian in Turkish football, winning several trophies: eight in four years. It was incredible.
“I could’ve made history with Real Madrid, but perhaps I wouldn’t have had the idolatry that I have today at Galatasaray, a club that will remain in my heart forever.”
The 36-year-old did get one of his wishes, linking up with his Gala coach and Italy CT Roberto Mancini at Inter in 2015-16.