Former Barcelona star Andres Iniesta has revealed Real Madrid tried to sign him earlier in his career.

The 34-year-old has just left the Camp Nou side after a scintillating 16-year career, which included nine La Liga titles, four Champions Leagues and three Club World Cups.

But the Spain international could have left the Catalan giants for Los Blancos.

As reported in The Sun, Iniesta said: “There have been some moments when Madrid has felt around me, there have never been negotiations beyond the fact that I wanted to be there.

“But, since I stepped into La Masia, I was going to triumph at Barcelona.

“The beginning was not easy. But I always preferred to play ten minutes here than for another team.”