Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has revealed that he turned down the chance to join Real Madrid earlier in his career.
The midfielder admitted that he was the subject of interest from the La Liga giants at various points and said that the prospect of joining Los Blancos was a tempting one.
However, Gerrard claims that he never wanted to leave his boyhood club, despite the opportunity to play in the Spanish capital.
He told reporters: "It's 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 home town club in Liverpool.
"It may be something I regret further down the line for not challenging myself and having a change of scenery in a different country but I'd have had an even bigger regret to leave the club I love.
"I'm a big fan of Real Madrid. They are a special club. But for me, Liverpool is my number one club."
The Reds host Carlo Ancelotti's side in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Paul Gorst
