I am a Liverpool legend who turned down a move to Real Madrid to protect his legacy at Anfield
When the call from Real Madrid comes, it takes a special force of will to reject it.
But that's exactly what Juan Barnes He did it despite having an offer on the table, as he did not want to stain his Liverpool legacy.
Barnes is often cited as one of the greatest England players of all time and is a fans favourite at Anfield, where he made 403 appearances over ten years from 1987 to 1997.
After his best campaign in Liverpool where he scored 28 goals in all competitions, John Toshack was keen to bring Barnes from Merseyside to Madrid.
Toshack, a Liverpool legend and European champion with the Reds for eight years, was in charge real Madrid From 1989 to 1990, he won La Liga in his first season and saw Barnes as the perfect player to reinforce his attack.
But Barnes told talkSPORT why the deal never materialised as he did not want to submit a transfer request.
He said on talkSPORT Drive up Andy Goldstein and Jason Cundy: “John Toshack was the coach at the time, it was probably his last year (at Real Madrid).
“Of course, coaches were not allowed to talk to the players.
“I don't know how I spoke to him, but whatever…
“He said to me: 'Would you like to come to Real Madrid?' I said: 'I'm happy at Liverpool, but if they accept your offer, we'll talk'.”
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“Having played for Liverpool for so long and being a Liverpool hero, I wanted him to go and ask for a transfer, because of course it would look bad for him because he is a Liverpool legend.
“It's a bit like he wanted me to say I want to leave, but of course I wanted him to make an offer and then I would talk.
“That's the reason it didn't happen, because I didn't want to transfer. Listen, the Scousers know I'll never leave you! I love you!”
Although Barnes turned down a transfer to Real Madrid, he forged an incredible career at Liverpool, where he played for another seven years.
However, he was never able to repeat his spectacular goalscoring performance of that season, which was his best campaign since 1990/91, when he scored 17 goals.
However, his trophy cabinet shined during his time at Liverpool, where he won two First Division trophies in 1988 and 1990, as well as two FA Cups in 1989 and 1992 and the League Cup in 1995.
As well as having a keen eye for goal, it was his blistering pace and silky skills that left defenders speechless and fans out of their seats.
Liverpool fans weren't the only ones who fell in love with Barnes, as he rose through the system in Watford First, where he played 296 matches and scored 85 goals.
He made 79 appearances for England, scoring ten goals, including a stunning solo goal against Brazil, and was voted the country's all-time left-footed player in 2016.
