I was nominated for Ballon d’Or at Real Madrid and played in the World Cup – but MIDDLESBROUGH was best bit of my career

FOR astir footballers, it doesn’t get overmuch amended than playing with the likes of Zinedine Zidane and Roberto Carlos.

But erstwhile Real Madrid prima Geremi preferred passing to Jonathan Greening and Massimo Maccarone.

Geremi starred for Middlesbrough during his indebtedness spell.Getty Images - Getty

AFP

Geremi fell retired of favour astatine Real Madrid.[/caption]

The Cameroonian planetary won 2 Champions League titles during his clip with the Galacticos.

He was adjacent nominated for the Ballon d’Or aft his archetypal play successful Spain.

But, inquire Geremi, and he’ll accidental helium preferred his indebtedness spell astatine MIDDLESBROUGH.

The right-back had conscionable played astatine the 2002 World Cup erstwhile the accomplishment of caller Madrid president Florentino Perez near him retired of favour astatine the Bernabeu.

That’s erstwhile Middlesbrough made their move.

Geremi explained “They (Madrid) said that they wouldn’t merchantability maine but that I could spell connected loan.

“It was 1 of my biggest decisions due to the fact that erstwhile I went to Middlesbrough, I did thing special.”

Ahead of the tourney Geremi had impressed the past England adjunct Steve McClaren, scoring successful a affable betwixt Cameroon and the Three Lions.

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McClaren was besides Boro brag astatine the clip and had spoken to Geremi aft the game.

Speaking astatine the motorboat of Ladbrokes’ ‘Gaffer of each Accas’, Geremi revealed: “He came to maine astatine afloat clip and said, ‘look, I request you for my team.’

Getty

Geremi played nether Jose Mourinho and won backmost to backmost Premier Leagues with Chelsea.[/caption]

“When I arrived, I spoke with McClaren and said, ‘I privation to play further forward.’

“That was the woody with McClaren, and helium decided to enactment maine connected the wing.

“That was 1 of the champion seasons of my career. I scored a batch of goals, and this benignant of feeling is peculiar due to the fact that erstwhile you people people, sing your name.”

Geremi played 34 times for Middlesbrough during his indebtedness spell, scoring 7 times and relished being the Boro’s main antheral successful the Premier League.

He added: “You won’t judge me, but honestly the astir enjoyable nine that I played for was Middlesbrough.

“That was me, due to the fact that I was either assisting goals, scoring oregon I was antheral of the match. It felt great!”

Geremi’s spell astatine Middlesbrough attracted Chelsea, wherever helium won 2 Premier League titles successful 4 years nether Jose Mourinho.