The Serie A legend discussed a snubbed move to Tottenham Hotspur back in 1996.
Speaking to Arsenal’s official website, Alessandro Costacurta has said that he decided against a move to Tottenham due to his love for the Gunners.
Costacurta is widely regarded as one of the best defenders in the history of European football as he enjoyed a glittering 20-year career with AC Milan, making over 600 appearances for his beloved boyhood club.
Alessandro Costacurta © – Picture Supplied by Action Images
Apart from his wonderful abilities as a player, Costacurta’s loyalty to Milan throughout his career was admirable and he is considered a rare breed of a footballer which is difficult to find these days.
While there is no doubting Costacurta’s love for Milan, it has now been revealed by the Italian legend that he also had a soft spot for Premier League giants Arsenal.
Speaking ahead of the legends game between Arsenal and AC Milan on Saturday, Costacurta explained that he has always been a fan of the Gunners and even revealed that he rejected a chance to join Tottenham Hotspur back in 1996 because of his affection for the North London side.
The 50-year-old said: “The idea of living in London was very exciting. But I finally refused and you know why? Because I couldn’t betray my English love.
“The truth is that I’ve been a keen Arsenal fan since my childhood, and playing for ‘our’ bitter rivals would have been high treason. When I was younger I liked the Arsenal shirt, the stadium, and some of the players from the 1980s such as Liam Brady.
“And I’ve always gone against the tide. All my friends were Manchester United or Liverpool fans, so I picked Arsenal and I’ve never changed my mind.”
Costacurta never ended up making it to England, and though his comments may earn him a good reception on Saturday, they are certainly unlikely to have gone down well across North London.
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