Ruud van Nistelrooy has revealed that he was close to rejoining Real Madrid before he moved to Malaga.

The Spanish giants were in the market for a striker when Gonzalo Higuain picked up an injury last season but they instead chose to sign Manchester City forward Emmanuel Adebayor on loan.

Van Nistelrooy, who was a free agent at the time, eventually moved to La Rosaleda on a one-year deal.

"At the time I felt disappointed because a return to Madrid would have been great," he told Marca.

"It was very close to a beautiful story. But it wasn't to be and now we will never know what would have happened.

"Yes, I'm at Malaga now and I'll give 100% but my time at Madrid was not normal. It was very special and I will always have a great connection with the club and its fans."

The Dutchman spent four years at the Bernabeu after his move from Manchester United in 2006.