While he is the new golden boy of Real Madrid, young attacker Marco Asensio revealed he could have made the move to arch-rivals Barcelona.
Asensio has quickly broken into Madrid s starting XI after excelling and impressing coach Zinedine Zidane in pre-season.
It has been a rapid rise for the 20-year-old, who returned from a successful loan spell at Espanyol, after joining Madrid from Mallorca in 2014, but he could have ended up at Camp Nou.
I like both, they re the best, he said in an interview with Cadena Ser after being asked which shirt he prefers, Spain or Madrid.
I had chances to go to Barcelona and other teams, but I came to Madrid.
I couldn t wear the Barcelona shirt now.
Asensio has started Madrid s two opening LaLiga fixtures, scoring once, while he was also on target in the UEFA Super Cup victory over Sevilla.
His form has seen team-mates James Rodriguez and Isco fall further down the pecking order in the Spanish capital.
But Asensio on international duty with Spain added: I m there to help and it s the coaches decision if he chooses me before others.
My aspiration is to be a starter, but there are important players who have spent many years at the club.
I feel comfortable in the playmaker role, but I can play on the left, on the right and even pivot.
I want to win all the titles, be a reference for the team and for the fans and I want to live my story at Real Madrid.
