In an extract from his autobiography, the former Roma captain discusses his career choices and the fans’ adulation
In 2005, I was yet to turn 29, and it was the period in my career in which Roma were paying me the most: €5.8m a year and image rights that were entirely mine. My contract had another year to run, until 2006, which meant that while Roma could ask Real Madrid for a fair amount for the transfer, as it should be, it would be hard for them to say that I wasn’t for sale.
Florentino Pérez, the Real president, had pursued me since 2001. The name that he had chosen to continue his collection of galácticos – enriched in the meantime by David Beckham and Michael Owen – was mine once again. Real Madrid offered me €12m a year and hybrid management of image rights, both personal and the club’s. The percentages dropped as the numbers rose, but a first estimate indicated possible earnings of €15m, even more than my salary. Absolute madness. I’d definitely have become the highest-paid player in the world. The offer was accompanied by the €60m initially offered to Roma for my transfer. Initially, I’m told, meant Real could have gone up to €70m without a problem.
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