Since he was worried about learning Spanish, former Rangers defender Bert Konterman admitted he turned down a move to Real Madrid.
In 1999, when the opportunity arose to move to the Spanish giants, the former Holland international, who made 12 caps for his country, was at Feyenoord.
Instead of taking the opportunity, Konterman stayed for another season before joining Rangers in 2000-but, as stated by Marca, he admits he did not instantly regret that decision.
‘That summer (1999), Real Madrid offered me 20 million guilders (£9million),’ Konterman told podcast Talkin Fitbaw.
‘Leo Beenhakker was my coach and he had been a coach for Real Madrid. He said, “You want Real Madrid”
‘Maybe it was a dumb step out of myself afterward,’ admits the 49-year-old. They were serious indeed. But I told Beenhakker I was interested in staying at Feyenoord. I wasn’t pained about the decision at the moment. ‘I said, ‘You joke, I don’t think you’re.’ He said, “I want you to live in Feyenoord, but I can imagine you ‘re going to Real Madrid because it’s a great club.”
‘In my opinion, my next step would have been to Germany or Britain, because I spoke very well German and fairly good English.’
Had he joined Real Madrid in 1999, Konterman, who in three years at the club made 79 league appearances for Rangers, may have won the Champions League as Madrid won the competition in the 1999-2000 season, beating Valencia 3-0 in the final.
