Steven Gerrard, the former Liverpool midfielder and current manager of Al-Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia, recently revealed that he was approached by Real Madrid in 2010. Despite spending the majority of his career at Liverpool and being considered one of the greatest midfielders in the history of the game, Gerrard admitted that he was tempted by the prospect of joining the Spanish giants.
Gerrard’s potential move to Real Madrid was not the first time he had attracted interest from other clubs. In 2005, he famously handed in a transfer request and seriously considered joining Liverpool’s rivals, Chelsea. However, that move never materialized, and Liverpool quickly realized how important Gerrard was to their long-term plans.
Speaking on The Greatest Game podcast in 2020, Gerrard revealed that Real Madrid wanted him to “cause a war” in order to force a move to the Bernabeu. He reflected on the missed opportunity, saying, “Imagine playing for Mourinho in the Champions League with Madrid, unbelievable experience. But it didn’t happen.”
If Gerrard had joined Real Madrid, he would have been part of an impressive team of Galacticos. He likely would have replaced Sami Khedira and been reunited with his former Liverpool teammate, Xabi Alonso, as the deep-lying midfielders. In front of him would have been Cristiano Ronaldo, Mesut Ozil, and Angel Di Maria, providing ample supply for strikers Karim Benzema or Gonzalo Higuain. The legendary Iker Casillas would have been the goalkeeper, with a formidable back four consisting of Sergio Ramos, Ricardo Carvalho, Pepe, and Marcelo.
Despite the allure of playing for Real Madrid and working under manager Jose Mourinho, Gerrard ultimately chose to stay at Anfield. This decision further solidified his status as a club legend and endeared him even more to Liverpool fans.
Gerrard admitted that there was some flirtation with Real Madrid, but it was not a major pursuit. He stated, “I’m not sure if it was a full tapping but there was some kind of little… There was a little bit of flirtation.”
Throughout his career, Gerrard’s loyalty to Liverpool and his commitment to the club’s success never wavered. He captained the team to numerous trophies, including the UEFA Champions League in 2005, where he played a pivotal role in Liverpool’s historic comeback against AC Milan in the final.
Now, as a manager, Gerrard is embarking on a new adventure in Saudi Arabia with Al-Ettifaq. His experience and leadership on the pitch have translated into his coaching career, and he is already making a positive impact at his new club.
While Gerrard may have missed out on the opportunity to play for Real Madrid, his legacy at Liverpool remains untarnished. He will always be remembered as one of the greatest midfielders to have ever played the game and as a true icon of Liverpool Football Club.
In conclusion, Steven Gerrard’s revelation about being approached by Real Madrid in 2010 sheds light on the potential career path he could have taken. Despite the temptation, Gerrard chose to remain loyal to Liverpool and solidify his status as a club legend. His decision exemplifies his commitment and dedication to the team that he represented for the majority of his career. As he continues his managerial journey, Gerrard’s impact on the game both as a player and now as a coach will be remembered for years to come.