Portugal great Paulo Futre says Roma coach Jose Mourinho turned down a return to Real Madrid.

Futre, speaking to SerieANews.com, revealed Mourinho chose Roma over Real.

He stated: "José believed from the first moment in the Roma project, since he signed.

"He said no to Madrid... When (Zinedine) Zidane left, he was able to return to the Merengues club, but he preferred to go to Roma and start this new journey.

"By the way, the Giallorossi were one of my dreams…"

Futre continued: “After seeing Bruno Conti at the '82 World Cup, he became one of my idols and I wanted to play for Roma. I was close: I met President Viola in Madrid, but there was no agreement between the clubs. In 1982 I was 16 years old and Bruno Conti, for me, was like Chalana. Then there was Maradona, who was a God... All lefties."