Royston Drenthe’s Real Madrid Journey and Career Revelations
In 2007, Royston Drenthe arrived at Real Madrid as one of football’s most promising young talents. Despite the initial excitement, his tenure at the Spanish giants lasted just 59 appearances over five years, falling short of the high expectations placed upon him.
Speaking on The Wild Project, Drenthe recently shared fascinating insights about his move to Madrid and subsequent career developments:
• Multiple top clubs pursued his signature:
– Barcelona
– Chelsea
– Real Madrid
“Barcelona and Chelsea wanted me to stay at Feyenoord for another year, but I was eager to move immediately,” Drenthe explained. “While most of my family supported Barcelona because of Ronaldinho’s influence in Holland, Real Madrid had Ronaldo, who was still at his peak. The chance to play where legends like Beckham, Ronaldo, and Zidane had performed was irresistible.”
Controversial Exit and Mourinho Relationship
Drenthe’s departure from Real Madrid in 2012 came with its share of controversy, particularly regarding his relationship with then-manager Jose Mourinho. He revealed details about his final pre-season in Los Angeles:
• Initially played regularly due to Marcelo’s injury
• Performed well throughout pre-season
• Unexpected signing of Fabio Coentrao complicated matters
• Jorge Valdano, not Mourinho, delivered the news about his departure
“Mourinho had assured me that I shouldn’t worry if I maintained my training standards,” Drenthe recalled. “However, in the last three days of camp, Valdano suggested I should leave. The coach avoided telling me directly, claiming no involvement in the decision.”
In a particularly controversial revelation, Drenthe alleged experiencing racial abuse from Lionel Messi during a match while playing for Hercules. However, he maintains respect for Messi’s achievements, acknowledging him as “one of the best players in the world.”
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