Zinedine Zidane has revealed that he told the club to sign Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard when the midfielder was at the peak of his game.
The 34-year-old announced this week that he will bring the curtain down on his Liverpool career this summer, ending a 17-year playing association with the club. He admitted he will join a club in the MLS but hasn’t decided which one yet.
Things could have been so different though if Real legend Zidane had his way. Speaking to the media, Real Madrid Castilla boss Zidane revealed he told Florentino Perez to sign Gerrard in 2004 as he wanted to partner him in midfield at the Santiago Bernabeu.
“I have said in the past that at his peak he was the best in the world,” said the 42-year-old.
“I think it was the summer of 2004 I was having a conversation with Florentino Perez and I told him I wanted him to partner me in midfield for Madrid. I know the club tried twice but he wouldn’t leave Liverpool. Not many players turn down Real Madrid but I think that tells you a lot about the loyalty of the man,” he added.
Gerrard’s loyalty was rewarded as he successfully captained the team to a host of trophies, most notably the 2005 Champions League.
That would have been a perfect combination.