5 World Class players who regret not joining Real Madrid

Playing for Real Madrid is a matter of pride. No matter what kind of a player you are, interest from the Los Blancos is bound to excite you.

There are several superstars who have taken that opportunity and played for the Spanish giants. However, many legends have revealed that they regretted not jumping at the chance to joiReal Madrid.

Here are the 5 legendary footballers who regret not moving to Bernabeu:

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#5 Francesco Totti

Totti spent his entire career at AS Roma and is loved by all for that. The Italian legend had the chance to join Barcelona or Real Madrid but he turned them both down to stay at his beloved club.

Speaking to Sky Sport Italia back in 2012, Totti said, “I never thought about money, otherwise I would have left aged 26 when Real Madrid and Barcelona wanted me.”

However, after a game at the Bernabeu, he revealed that he regrets not joining Los Blancos. “The Santiago Bernabeu is an amazing stadium. Real Madrid are my only regret. It was very emotional to get such a warm welcome. This is a great memory for me.” Totti told Mediaset.

#4 Andrea Pirlo

Andrea Pirlo

Pirlo has played for Inter Milan, AC Milan and Juventus. The Italian legend could have easily ended up at Real Madrid but his love for AC Milan made him stay at San Siro.

The Rossoneri, however, let him walk away after his contract ended. He moved to Juventus and won 4 back-to-back Serie A titles before joining New York City FC in MLS.

In an interview with Marca Plus, Pirlo revealed: “In 2010, I could have became a Real Madrid player. There was Capello as manager and many players contacted me to try and convince me to go there. But I was under contract at Milan and there was nothing that could have been done to leave. They were 10 years at Milan in which I won everything that could be won and I am happy to have played for three of Italy’s biggest clubs. I am disappointed to not have played for great club like Real Madrid.”

#3 Pavel Nedved

Pavel Nedved is one of the most underrated players in the history of football. Not many talk about how the Juventus star used to traumatise the right-backs and ease past them.

Speaking to Sky Sports during the latter stages of his career, the Czech Republic legend revealed that he regrets not linking up with Zidane at Bernabeu.

"I have a contract with Juventus until 2006 and I want to end my career at that time," he explained. I would like to stay at Juventus until the end, but the club can decide something else. At Real? It is out of the question. It is too late. It's a shame as I would so much love to play with Zidane." said Nedved.

#2 Steven Gerrard

Steven Gerrard

Steven Gerrard, just like Totti, rejected several offers to stay at his boyhood club. The Englishman did hand in a transfer request to force a move to Chelsea at one point in his career but all that's forgotten and forgiven by Liverpool fans.

The midfielder once had the chance to move to Real Madrid too. He opted to remain at Anfield but now claims that he kind of regrets not pushing himself and trying a hand in La Liga.

“It is very flattering to be linked to a huge club like Real Madrid. I’ve had a couple of options throughout my career to go to Real Madrid but I resisted temptation, because of the big connection I have to my hometown club. It may be something I regret down the line, for not challenging myself and having a change of scenery in a different country, but I would have had an even bigger regret if I’d left the club I love. I’m a big fan of Real Madrid. They are a special club.” said the Englishman.

#1 Neymar

Neymar

Of all the players in this list, Neymar is the odd one out for two reasons. One, others have openly revealed their regret and two, they all have retired from the game.

Neymar's Real Madrid regret is a reported news and it may or may not be true. The Brazilian was said to be unhappy with the decision of joining Barcelona over his favourite club in childhood, Real Madrid.

He still has a chance of playing for Los Blancos and reports claim that he will indeed be moving to Bernabeu sooner rather than later.