In the summer of 2008, Barcelona was close to signing Dani Güiza. After shining at Mallorca, where he scored 27 goals and won the La Liga top scorer title, he caught the attention of Pep Guardiola, then Barcelona’s coach. However, the transfer did not happen, and Güiza joined Fenerbahçe for €15 million, becoming the most expensive transfer in Turkish football history.

Now, nearly two decades later, Güiza, who at 44 still plays for Rotonia in Spain’s lower divisions, revealed untold stories in an interview ahead of Getafe (one of his former teams) facing Real Madrid.

He said: “I don’t like to talk about it much. There were important players, especially one who didn’t want me at Barcelona because I was too much in the tabloids, and he didn’t like that. Guardiola wanted me, and everything was ready, but it all fell apart.”

Güiza spoke about his feelings regarding this dressing-room veto at Barcelona: “I don’t understand why, but that’s life. Juan Lillo (Pep’s assistant) knew me well, and so did Pep. Both agreed, but it didn’t happen.”

Güiza, who had previously played with players like Andrés Iniesta in Barcelona’s B team, said about him: “What a phenomenon! One of the best in the world and such a good person that everyone loved him. He is a role model.”

Güiza, who has been a Real Madrid fan since childhood, admitted his dream was to play for Real: “Was Real interested in me? I don’t think so, because if they had been, I would have gone there immediately, even on foot. What a shame. Real would have changed my life. I even think Catalan Barcelona fans would love to play for Real, the best club in the world. If that had happened, I would have cried with joy for seven years.”

He said, however, that not joining Real is not his biggest regret. Güiza regrets not playing in the 2010 World Cup and especially rejecting Real Betis’ offer to join Fenerbahçe: “Instead of following my heart, I chose more money.”