Juventus legend admits he was close to signing for Barcelona in 2004 – ‘I could have gone…’

Legendary Juventus striker David Trezeguet has revealed that in 2004, he came close to leaving Serie A to join FC Barcelona. 

Trezeguet, who moved to Juventus from AS Monaco in the summer of 2000, enjoyed a remarkable start to his career in Turin. 

Between 2000 and 2004, he won two Serie A titles, was named in the UEFA Team of the Year, and earned the accolade of Serie A Footballer of the Year.

Over more than 300 appearances for Juventus, Trezeguet scored 171 goals, cementing his place among the club’s all-time greats. 

Yet, in 2004, his future could have taken a very different path. The striker revealed that a move to Barcelona was on the cards, but the arrival of Fabio Capello at Juventus changed everything.

Capello’s influence and Trezeguet’s loyalty

Trezeguet explained, “Fabio called me in 2004, when I could have gone to Barcelona, and said, ‘Where are you going?’” 

David Trezeguet says he could have left Juventus in 2004. (Photo by Ben Radford/Getty Images)

Capello, who had previously managed Roma between 1999 and 2004, was about to take over at Juventus. 

He wanted to ensure that Trezeguet remained at the club, creating the right sporting context for his own arrival. 

“I didn’t think I would come to Juve,” admitted Trezeguet, reflecting on Capello’s influence behind the scenes.

Trezeguet’s loyalty to Juventus extended far beyond that summer. Even when the club was relegated to Serie B in the 2006/07 season, he chose to stay, demonstrating his commitment. 

“In 2006, I felt the need to give back to the club something it had given me. A club that had been very good to me,” he recalled, praising the club for its role in his career.

Although Barcelona could have been his next destination, Trezeguet’s path remained tied to Juventus, shaping a legacy that spanned a decade. 

Source: Mundo Deportivo