When the call comes from Real Madrid, it takes special willpower to turn it down.
But that is exactly what John Barnes did, despite an offer being on the table, as he did not want to tarnish his Liverpool legacy.
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Often cited as one of England’s greatest players of all time, Barnes is a fan favourite at Anfield, where he made 403 appearances over the decade from 1987 to 1997.
After his best season at Liverpool, in which he scored 28 goals in all competitions, John Toshack was keen to bring Barnes from Merseyside to Madrid.
Toshack, himself a Liverpool legend and European champion with the Reds in eight seasons, was coach of Real Madrid from 1989 to 1990 and won LaLiga in his first season. He saw Barnes as the perfect player to strengthen his attack.
But Barnes explained to The Pitch Prospect why a deal never happened as he did not want to make a transfer request.
He told Andy Goldstein and Jason Cundy on The Pitch Prospect Drive: “John Toshack was the manager at the time, it was probably his last year [at Real Madrid].
“Of course, the managers were not allowed to speak to the players.
“I don’t know how I talked to him, but whatever…
“He said: ‘Do you want to come to Real Madrid?’ I said: ‘I’m happy at Liverpool, but if your offer is accepted then we’ll talk.’
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“Because I played for Liverpool for so long and am a Liverpool hero, he wanted me to go and ask for a transfer because obviously that would reflect badly on him as he is a Liverpool legend.
“So it’s a bit like he wanted me to say I wanted to leave, but of course I wanted him to make an offer and then I would talk.
“That’s why it didn’t happen, because I didn’t want to move. Listen, the Scousers know I would never leave you! I love you!”
Although Barnes turned down a move to Real Madrid, he instead had an incredible career at Liverpool, where he played for another seven years.
However, he was never able to repeat his goalscoring qualities from that season. His best season was the 1990/91 season, in which he scored 17 goals.
However, his trophy collection shone during his time at Liverpool, where he won two First Division trophies in 1988 and 1990, two FA Cups in 1989 and 1992 and the League Cup in 1995.
Not only did he have a keen goal-scoring instinct, but he also had breathtaking pace and a sophisticated technique that outshone defenders and brought fans to their feet.
It wasn’t just Liverpool fans who fell in love with Barnes, as he first rose through the ranks at Watford, where he made 296 appearances and scored 85 goals.
He made 79 appearances for England, scoring ten goals, including an impressive solo effort against Brazil, and was voted the country’s best left-footed player in 2016.