I was close to joining Liverpool but it was their fault the transfer didn’t happen

With his Real Madrid contract expiring that summer, the 2000 Ballon d’Or winner held talks with the Reds after their Champions League final win in Istanbul.

Admitting a cross had been close, the Portuguese, who was once 32 at the time, points the finger of blame at Liverpool for the reason why the switch used to be never absolutely completed.

“Yes, it used to be a possibility at that time,” Figo told GOAL. “It used to be close, I was negotiating with Rafa (Benitez), however in the give up it didn’t occur for extraordinary reasons.

“Liverpool at the time were struggling and not making a decision on whether to sign me, so I decided no longer to go there.

“I don’t be aware of (what they had been ready for), however every week they have been like, ‘We’re waiting to do this,’ and then they signal one player. ‘We’re waiting,’ and then they signal another.

“So I said, ‘Come on, this cannot happen, I can’t wait too long.’”

Liverpool would give end up signing Bolo Zenden, Pepe Reina, Momo Sissoko, and Peter Crouch in July 2005, as Figo as a substitute joined Internazionale at the begin of August.

And the Portuguese subsequently ended up having no regrets about moving to the San Siro as a substitute than waiting for the Reds, as he received 4 Serie A titles and the Coppa Italia, returning 11 desires and 36 assists from one hundred forty appearances, before striking up his boots in 2009.

“I determined (to go with) what used to be greater impervious and sure in that moment,” he said. “Which was after I had a assembly with Massimo Moratti (then-Inter owner).

“For me it used to be the best decision to play for Inter. I’m very grateful for the love the supporters gave me in an important period of my career. I felt very cherished and cared (for) there. For me they had been 4 splendid years.”