Juventus legend Pavel Nedved has revealed his biggest footballing regret was not playing for Premier League giants Manchester United.
The former Czech Republic international was part of a ‘Golden Era’ with the Bianconeri, after moving to Turin from Lazio back in 2001.
Widely regarded as one of the most successful players to emerge from the Czech Republic, Nedved spent eight years with Juventus and the former midfielder was a huge success with the Italian giants.
Nedved, who was named Czech Footballer of the Year on four occasions and lifted three Serie A titles during his time in Italy, was heavily linked at times with a move to England.
And, the 44-year-old – who was named European Footballer of the Year in 2005 – has now revealed how he wishes he had joined Manchester United, although Chelsea were the only side who had an offer on the table for him.
Asked to name the biggest regret of his playing career, Nedved told Czech news outlet iDNES: “That I never played for Manchester United, I’d have liked that. The transfer was never on the table though, there was only Chelsea.
“I liked the generation of Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs, who I admired. I was a little bit jealous of Karel Poborsky who played in Manchester and experienced great matches. I know he still feels that love.”
Nedved also revealed his favourite goal, scored in a Champions League group- stage match against Ajax in 2004.
He said: “As for my best goal, it was when we played away at Ajax in the Champions League with Juventus in 2004 and won 1-0.
“I scored a very nice goal which I like to recall, where I hit it into the top corner with the outside of my right foot.”
Nedved retired from football in 2009 after over 600 career appearances for club and country, before he went on to join Juventus’ board of directors and more recently becoming vice-president of the club.
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