Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta reveals Real Madrid tried to sign him
Spanish legend, 34, has just left Barcelona to sign for Japanese side Vissel Kobe
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ANDRES INIESTA revealed Real Madrid tried to sign him several times.
The Spanish legend, 34, has just left Barcelona to sign for Japanese side Vissel Kobe.
And Iniesta says it was not the first time he had the opportunity to try his luck elsewhere - and could have previously joined the likes of Luis Figo, Michael Laudrup and Bernd Schuster by making a direct move from Barca to their rivals.
He reckons he would have rather played "ten minutes" for Barca than be on the books anywhere else.
Iniesta explained: "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.
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"The beginning was not easy. But I always preferred to play ten minutes here than for another team."
Iniesta will reportedly earn £22.4million A YEAR after swapping La Liga for the J-League after 22 years at Barca.
Iniesta said: "I had a lot of offers, other clubs showed an interest in me. I chose Vissel Kobe because it was an interesting project."
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Kobe owner Hiroshi Mikitani also works as CEO for Barca's sponsor Rakuten.
Mikitani called Iniesta "the most respected soccer player in the world" and said his signing would not only contribute to the club but also help promote the league.
Iniesta will try to help Kobe, currently sixth in the J1 League after 15 games, win a first ever Japanese championship.
The club's highest ever finish was seventh in 2016.