Former Bayern Munich gunman reveals he rejected Real Madrid because of Florentino Perez | OneFootball

Real Madrid vs Bayern Munich is the most-played match in Champions League history, and we will get to see another edition of the thrilling encounter in a week when the two sides meet once again at the Allianz Arena for the first-leg of the UCL semi-finals.

The two sides have a controversial, but rich history between them, as well, and they have exchanged players a fair few times in the past, with David Alaba and Toni Kroos standing out as notable additions to Madrid in recent times.

However, they have been in talks for several players over the last decade, with current rumours also suggesting Alphonso Davies could move from Bavaria to Madrid, while Ferland Mendy is linked with the opposite route.

While those moves may go through, there was one in 2013 that did not when a certain Mario Gomez rejected Real Madrid in favour of Fiorentina because of Florentino Perez.

“Not in the mood for that”

Gomez spent four years in Munich after a €30 million move from VfB Stuttgart in 2009. However, aged 29, the record Bundesliga winners thought it would be appropriate to replace him with the younger, more lethal and free Robert Lewandowski.

Before his move away from Bayern, though, Real Madrid had approached him to discuss a potential move where he would compete with Karim Benzema for a spot.

Benzema was not in the best form in 2013. (Photo by DANI POZO/AFP via Getty Images)

“Real Madrid wanted me to rival Karim Benzema, who at the time, was not going through a good phase,” Gomez said, as relayed by Mundo Deportivo.

“When I left Bayern after four years, I thought, Florentino Perez is like Uli Hoeneß and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge at Bayern. I was expelled from Bayern by them with a handshake. I was no longer in the mood for that,” he added.

Links with Carlo Ancelotti

Mario Gomez was a wanted man in his prime, and during this interview, he also revealed that Carlo Ancelotti had requested his transfer while he was coaching PSG in 2013.

Atletico Madrid also tried signing him in 2013, right before Diego Costa exploded with them, but he eventually chose to sign for Fiorentina, who gave him the most security of playing time.