Former Atletico Madrid technical secretary Ruben Cano has revealed that he had arranged a meeting to discuss Raul Gonzalez's contract renewal with the player's father, yet he didn't turn up.
The Spanish forward instead opted to join Real Madrid, Atletico's arch- rivals, who Cano claims were often approaching their young talents.
"Raulito was phenomenal at the Cadete [under-16s] and I called him Maradonita," he told the Maneras de Vivir podcast.
"One Sunday I invited his father to the VIP box.
"We arranged to meet in one week to renew [his contract], but he did not come.
"[Real] Madrid were always approaching players.
"And they told me he signed for Madrid, a year before [Atletico's then-president] Jesus [Gil] shut down the academy, something that seemed crazy to me, one of those [crazy things] he did.
"People say that [Raul left] because they shut down the academy, but it was a bit earlier.
"[Real Madrid] convinced the father and took him away."
Cano also recalled the moment he almost signed Ronaldo Nazario for Atletico.
"I left the club and I became an intermediary, because I had many relationships and contacts," he added.
"I saw a 16-year-old boy in Brazil, Ronaldo.
"I said he is going to make it.
"I told my partner to go to Belo Horizonte to buy him and I told Miguel Angel Gil that there was a boy and PSV [Eindhoven] were there too.
"They offered 600 million pesetas.
"I offered Cruzeiro, with the approval of Jesus Gil, 400 million pesetas for 50 percent of his rights.
"They said yes as they preferred that.
"I called Jesus and he said yes, but Miguel Angel said no."
Cano also discussed about two legendary Atletico Madrid coaches: Diego Simeone and Luis Aragones.
"I know [Simeone] as a player, but as a coach it's just what I see," he noted.
"Already as a player he had a lot of character, and as a coach as well.
"With Luis, we were friends.
"He made himself respected, but he made himself loved.
"He had a lot of personality, and sometimes he would heat up, but he did not run over you.
"Cholo gives me the impression that he is the same, especially because they are winners."
Source: m.allfootballapp.com