Brazil legend Pele has said he was close to signing for Real Madrid during his playing days at Santos.
Pele is considered one of the best footballers of his generation, with FIFA citing his goal-scoring record over the course of his career as 1,281 goals in 1,363 games.
The ex-striker won numerous trophies, including three World Cups, and in 2000 he was named Player of the Century.
Pele never played for a European club, plying his trade at Santos and New York Cosmos, but he has said he had the chance to make the move across the Atlantic.
Speaking at an event in New York City promoting his forthcoming biographical film, "Pele: Birth of a Legend," Pele is quoted as saying by Associated Press: "There were many times when I was very close to signing with Real Madrid, and then once more with Napoli in Italy.
"It's not a regret. I was at Santos, and at the time they were a powerhouse."
Pele added that he is concerned about the lack of competition to Barcelona's Lionel Messi and Real's Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo as dominant forces in the game today.
"Right now we have Messi and Ronaldo at the top, but tell me three or four more names? You can't," he said. "We need more players challenging those two, because in this moment we don't have any."