Bayern Munich legend, Arjen Robben has claimed that Juventus superstar, Cristiano Ronaldo, was not the only reason why he left Real Madrid in 2009.
Robben and Ronaldo were team-mates at Real Madrid for just a few weeks before the Holland international left the Santiago Bernabeu for the Bundesliga champion.
The 35-year-old, who struggled during his time at the Los Blancos, also said that the club’s president, Florentino Perez and Karim Benzema, Kaka, and Xabi Alonso were also responsible for his Real Madrid exit.
“It became difficult for me because of the change of president at Real,” Robben told Goal.
“I actually felt very comfortable there and played very well, but when politics come into play and you do not get a real chance, you have to make a decision whether you want to keep fighting or to go and continue your career elsewhere.
“It was not just Ronaldo. Perez returned as the club’s president. He then bought Ronaldo, but also Kaka, [Karim] Benzema and Xabi Alonso.
“Real spent so much money and we were told that they needed to make a bit of money back on outgoing transfers.
“For me it was a shame, because I had a very good relationship with the former coach Manuel Pellegrini. In addition, I had perhaps the best pre-season of my career.”
Robben will leave Bayern this summer on a free transfer after winning his eight Bundesliga titles with the club last week.
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