• Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • Lionel Messi
    • Cristiano Ronaldo
    • EA FC 25
    • Wrexham
  • Boxing
    • Tyson Fury
    • Anthony Joshua
    • Oleksandr Usyk
    • Mike Tyson
    • Jake Paul
    • Logan Paul
  • UFC
    • Dana White
    • Conor McGregor
    • Khabib Nurmagomedov
    • Jon Jones
    • Paddy Pimblett
    • Joe Rogan
  • Other Sport
    • Athletics
    • Formula 1
    • MMA
    • Motorsport
    • NBA
    • Darts
    • NFL
    • Snooker
    • Wrestling
    • Tennis
    • Cricket
    • Golf
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
"I could have gone to Liverpool..." - Former Real Madrid star claims he turned down Anfield move

Home> Football

Published 17:58 16 Feb 2023 GMT

"I could have gone to Liverpool..." - Former Real Madrid star claims he turned down Anfield move

These are bold claims.

Joe Adams

Joe Adams

Former Italian forward Antonio Cassano has revealed he could have joined Liverpool when he was leaving Real Madrid in 2008.

Cassano, often deployed as a central attacking midfielder, retired in 2018 after a varied career, playing for the likes of Bari, Roma, Real Madrid, Sampdoria, AC Milan, Inter Milan, Parma and Hellas Verona.

The 40-year-old earned his move to Los Blancos after a successful spell in Rome, where he scored 52 goals and registered 27 assists in 161 games for the Serie A club.

Advert

He struggled to replicate his form in Madrid, managing just four goals and three assists before being shipped out on loan to Sampdoria, who he moved to permanently the following season.

That move initiated a series of loan spells around Italy, with the Premier League seemingly out of reach.

However, the ex Italy international has since disclosed that Liverpool came knocking after he left the Bernaneu.

Cassano 'snubbed' Liverpool

When answering questions on his social media, Cassano confidently stated he "could have easily played in the Premier League", but instead chose to go home.

Advert

As quoted by Ita Sport Press, Cassano said: “If I could have played in the Premier League? With a pipe in my mouth.

“I could have easily played in the Premier League. Even players like Coutinho, Zola, Carbone, they were similar players to me, but I do another sport obviously.

“They did well there. Because it’s true that they are physically strong and go a thousand miles an hour, but qualitatively… – even if they’ve been going up a lot for 3-4 years, but we’re talking about 15 years ago.

“When I was leaving Real Madrid, I had an offer from the Premier League. I could have gone to Liverpool. But I wanted to go home.

Advert

“I thought though: ‘If I’m abroad, in the strongest team in the world, what do I do, go to England? Either I go back home, or I stay at Real. But I would have played there very easily.”

Instead of signing Cassano, Liverpool opted to spend their money on the likes of Robbie Keane, Javier Mascherano and Albert Riera that year.

Featured Image Credit: Alamy

Topics: Liverpool, Real Madrid, Roma, Serie A, La Liga, Football

Joe Adams
Joe Adams

Joe is a Journalist for SPORTbible with a primary focus on football. He has previously covered a number of other sports including boxing, rugby and F1. Wishes he was born left-footed.

X

@joeadamsjourno

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

14 mins ago
an hour ago
  • 14 mins ago

    Steven Gerrard was made to do vile task involving Jamie Carragher while earning humble first Liverpool wage

    Steven Gerrard recalled what it was like to grow up with Jamie Carragher at Liverpool.

    Football
  • an hour ago

    Roy Keane was challenged to fight by former Premier League manager who claimed Man Utd legend 'is not as tough as he makes out'

    Roy Keane is considered one of football's last hardmen

    Football
  • an hour ago

    Viktor Gyokeres 'splits from model girlfriend' to 'remove all ties to Portugal' after she makes feelings clear on preferred transfer decision

    The reason behind Viktor Gyokeres ending his relationship with Ines Aguiar has been revealed.

    Football
  • an hour ago

    Lamine Yamal received offer to leave Barcelona in transfer that would have changed football history but Xavi blocked it happening

    The Spain and Barcelona winger recently penned a new deal at the La Liga champions, but things could've played out differently.

    Football
  • Real Madrid draw up four-man transfer shortlist that features some of the best wonderkids in world football
  • Real Madrid staff have advised Xabi Alonso against using three players at Club World Cup
  • Xabi Alonso's new formation for Trent Alexander-Arnold experiment could end one Real Madrid career
  • Forgotten Real Madrid player is about to leave the club without ever meeting Trent Alexander-Arnold