Antonio Valencia reveals Steve Bruce phone call that steered him away from Real Madrid to Manchester United

Antonio Valencia has revealed that a phone call with Steve Bruce convinced him to reject Real Madrid and sign for Manchester United in the summer of 2009, describing it as the best decision of his career.

The former United captain, now 41, joined Wigan Athletic on loan from Villarreal in 2006 before making the move permanent two years later. His performances at the DW Stadium attracted interest from several major clubs, including United and Real Madrid, but it was Bruce’s personal intervention that proved decisive.

“I came very close to making the move to Real Madrid,” Valencia said. “But I’m someone who likes to listen, and it was Steve Bruce who told me to sign for Manchester United, so that’s what I did, and it’s the best decision I could have made.”

Valencia also reflected on the personal challenges he faced when first arriving in England from Spain, crediting Wigan with laying the foundations for everything that followed.

“It was very difficult for me when I first signed for Wigan and moved to England, because there was so much I didn’t know,” he said. “The language, the culture, the food… all of it was new to me. But I’m so grateful to Wigan for playing such a big part in my career. They still hold a special place in my heart, because they gave me the opportunity to go and play for Manchester United.”

He added that he could not initially believe United were interested. “It was wonderful news for me and my family,” Valencia said. “I also had interest from another big Premier League club, and also from Real Madrid.” Despite the allure of a move to the Bernabéu, Bruce’s counsel tipped the balance.

Valencia went on to spend ten years at Old Trafford, winning six major honours under Sir Alex Ferguson and eventually wearing the captain’s armband in his final season at the club. His journey from a loan signing in the Championship to one of United’s most decorated players of the era remains one of the more unlikely success stories of the Ferguson era.

Looking back at Wigan, Valencia expressed hope that his former club can push for promotion from the EFL Championship, having finished 16th last season. “I’d love to see them back in the higher divisions again,” he said.