Pirlo reveals: I was one step away from Real Madrid

Italian football legend Andrea Pirlo revealed in his autobiography (I Think, Therefore I Play) the behind-the-scenes details of his near transfer to Real Madrid in the summer of 2006, following his triumph with the Italian national team at the FIFA World Cup in Germany. He confirmed that he envisioned himself as a player for the royal club before Adriano Galliani, then vice president of AC Milan, intervened to keep him at San Siro.

Pirlo said in his account: "It was the summer of 2006, we had just won the FIFA World Cup, and I was at the peak of happiness. I was riding my bike through the quiet streets of Forte dei Marmi, while people stopped to congratulate me. But they didn't know that at that time, I belonged to Real Madrid, not to AC Milan, in my mind, heart, and soul."

The Italian midfielder revealed that Real Madrid, under coach Fabio Capello, had offered him a five-year contract with an attractive salary, after Capello spoke to him about joining the team and playing in midfield alongside Brazilian Emerson, who also joined the royal club from Juventus.

Negotiations have reached an advanced stage, leading Pirlo to envision wearing the white shirt and playing at the Santiago Bernabéu.

However, the deal required Milan's approval, which prompted Pirlo and his agent to meet with Galliani at the Milanello training center. During the meeting, the player's agent announced that his client would sign for Real Madrid, to which Galliani firmly responded: "Andrea, my friend, you are not going anywhere."

According to Pirlo, Galliani presented a new five-year contract, leaving the salary section blank for the player to determine the amount he wants, in an attempt to persuade him to stay.

Andrea Pirlo continued with AC Milan, where he carried on his career with the team and was crowned with the UEFA Champions League in 2007, making his transfer to Real Madrid one of the most notable deals that never materialized in his career.