Roy Keane stunned former Manchester United teammate Gary Neville with the admission that he turned down the opportunity to sign for an elite European team.
The 52-year-old Manchester United legend began his professional playing career at Irish side Cobh Ramblers before he was snapped up by Nottingham Forest in 1990.
Roy Keane made a real name for himself under the tutelage of legendary former Nottingham Forest boss Brian Clough before catching the eye of Sir Alex Ferguson.
Sir Alex Ferguson brought Keane to Old Trafford in 1993 for a British record fee at the time of £3.75m, with the Irishman excelling during his time at United.
Keane would be promoted to the captaincy in 1997 after Eric Cantona’s sudden retirement and the Irishman captained his side to a famous treble win in 1999.
The Irish hardman, who previously admitted two teams he was linked with in his career, was both a pivotal midfield figure and leader for United legend Ferguson.
Despite his success at Old Trafford, Keane’s spell at the Red Devils came to an abrupt end in 2005 after his relationship with Ferguson fractured.
Keane on two offers while at Man Utd
Roy Keane appeared on the latest Stick to Football show and opened up about his legendary career, including his time under former manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
The former Manchester United captain admitted that he regretted the fact that he wasn’t “brave enough” to play in another country aboard when he had the chance.
Keane revealed that he “always had a soft spot” for Juventus, but the Italian club’s deal that was offered at one point “wasn’t amazing.”
The former Nottingham Forest star added that the “most amazing deal ever” came from Bayern Munich, despite Keane not making the move in the end.
“I definitely should have gone abroad,” he said on The Overlap.
“I had opportunities to play abroad, but I should have been brave enough to [have] gone over and played in Italy or Germany or Spain and I had the opportunity.
“You know what, I always had a soft spot for Juventus and they offered me a deal, but I remember the deal wasn’t kind of at the time thinking it wasn’t amazing.
“I was looking for an amazing deal and the club that offered me the most amazing deal ever was Bayern Munich.”
Neville reacts to Keane rejecting club
Keane’s contract was mutually terminated at United and the former Republic of Ireland international went on to play for Scottish side Celtic.
However, the United legend’s spell at Celtic was cut short due to injuries and Keane would call it time on his legendary career in 2006.
Keane admitted that La Liga club Real Madrid made an approach for him when he was axed from United.
He turned down Madrid due to his age and whether or not he could make an impact in the Spanish capital, with Gary Neville left stunned by the revelation from Keane.
“And then when I left United – you’re on about self-worth – I went up to Celtic, but I could have gone to Real Madrid for a year and a half,” Keane continued.
“They offered me a year and a half. I don’t mind making them [kinds] of decisions. I was 34 and I just thought, ‘Would I go to Madrid and have an impact?’”
Responding to Keane, Neville said: “I didn’t know you turned down Real Madrid.”