Real Madrid technical secretary Miguel Angel Portugal has revealed how the Spanish giants missed out on three of the game's brightest talents.
Portugal admits Barcelona duo Lionel Messi and Giovani Dos Santos, plus Manchester United ace Cristiano Ronaldo, were all within Real's sights but were allowed to slip away.
Portugal, who returned to the Bernabeu this summer following a stint in charge of Racing Santander, was involved in the youth set-up at Real before leaving the club in 1999, and he recalls how the club's emphasis was then on signing big-name stars as opposed to investing in up-and-coming talent.
"It was the time of the 'Galacticos', when these players were more important than developing the young ones," Portugal told Radio Marca.
"When Giovani was 14 years old, we had the chance to sign him. The same with Messi," he added.
"I could have also had Cristiano Ronaldo. It was a shame, but during that era the youth set-up did not have the money for signing players."
