After winning the World Cup in 2006, I was riding my bike around Italy. Everyone was congratulating me and greeting me, and I responded in one way.
When they said, "Good morning, Andrea," I replied, "Buenos dias" (good morning in Spanish). They would say, "Hello, Pirlo," and I would say, "Hola" (hello in Spanish).
No one understood what I was saying. They thought winning the World Cup had affected my mind and made me crazy, but they didn’t know what was going on in my mind.
At that time, I wasn’t a Milan player; I was a Real Madrid player in my mind, spirit, and heart!
Capello, who was the coach of Real Madrid then, called me.
I thought, "Oh my God, one of the greatest coaches in history is calling me.
" I answered, "Hello, mister, how are you?"
He said, "I'm great, and you will be too. Come to Real Madrid, and I'll make you play always.
" I said, "Okay, I'm in." It didn’t take me a minute to decide.
Then my agent studied the matter carefully and went to Madrid.
I was following him on the phone like a teenager. He told me, "Andrea, your transfer is about to happen.
" I was so excited beyond imagination!
I imagined myself in that pure, fierce white jersey. I thought about the Bernabeu, that fortress I dreamed of being in! Amidst those dreams, suddenly, I was shocked! My agent told me, "Andrea, see you at lunch in a few days.
" I asked, "Where? In Madrid?
" He replied, "No, in Milanello!
" I said, "Are you crazy?
" He replied, "Yes, Andrea, in Milanello because Galliani hasn’t agreed yet!"
I went back to Milanello, and we gathered in that room where the team always eats.
My agent said, "Andrea is going to Real Madrid." I said, "Yes, I am." Galliani looked at me and said, "No, dear, you’re not going anywhere!"
Then he pulled out a small briefcase and took out a contract. He said to me, "You’re not going anywhere because you’re going to sign this contract.
It’s for five years, and the salary is blank. Write whatever you want!"
After that day, I spent several days not talking to anyone. I spoke Spanish, I dreamed of Spain. Even when I boarded the plane, I dreamed that I was landing in Madrid!
Suddenly, my agent called and said, "You’re signing for Milan. They will never let you go!"
When your instinct commands something, contract terms force something else! The worst part is having to go to the media and answer the question, "Are you going to Real Madrid?" and say, "No, I’m happy with Milan. Damn it."
It was bad that things ended this way because I dreamed of playing for Real Madrid.
They have a special magic, a bright future, and attract stars, definitely better than Milan, who at that time might have been relegated or stripped of titles due to the Calciopoli scandal.
At the end of the season, I won the Champions League with Milan. Things could have been much worse than they were, but they improved. Not achieving the dream I desired has remained a thorn in my heart despite my career where I achieved everything.
