He explained why he never played for Los Blancos
Former Spain striker Fernando Llorente has explained why he never ended up playing for Real Madrid even though he would have liked to.
Llorente has played for the likes of Athletic Club, Juventus, Sevilla, Tottenham, Napoli and more during his long career that also saw him win the World Cup and the European Championship with Spain.
“Things didn’t work out the way I would have liked with Athletic. Saying goodbye to the club where I grew up… from the age of 12 until I was 28. I feel it as my home”, Llorente acknowledged during an interview with El Larguero.
“I’m very sorry I didn’t come back and finish well. Things turned out this way, but I’m happy with the career I’ve had.”
Llorente, who is 37 years old and played last season for Eibar, is not thinking about retirement: “I don’t know what will happen in the future. I want to continue, even if I’ve been out of action for three months”.
“I’m still training, looking for something that excites me. If not, we’ll look for something else that fulfils me.”
Llorente: When I had the chance to go to Real Madrid, Juventus were quicker
Llorente was asked whether he was ever close to joining Los Blancos.
“No… no. I never really was. Whenever Real Madrid wanted me I was under contract at Athletic , and well… Athletic never wanted to let me go and Madrid never wanted to pay my release clause at the time”, explained Llorente.
“When the opportunity was there… Juventus were quicker.”
Llorente acknowledged that: “I would have liked to wear the white shirt. Right now Real Madrid are the best team in the world and it’s incredible what they are doing in the Champions League. Whenever they go far they are capable of winning it”.
Llorente was asked if Carlo Ancelotti called him tomorrow to be Karim Benzema‘s understudy…. Would he go for free?
“Of course. Of course,” replied the striker from Pamplona.