Andrea Pirlo regrets never playing for Real Madrid or Barcelona during his playing career.

Pirlo said he was targeted by both the Liga giants during his time at AC Milan but the Italian club would not allow him to leave.

"I still have a thorn in my side at not having played for Real Madrid or Barcelona, because playing there is a dream for every player.

"But I consider myself very satisfied to have played for the best teams in Italy."

Real Madrid targeted Pirlo in 2006 when Fabio Capello was their manager.

"Real Madrid? Any player would like to play for them," Pirlo said. "Fabio Capello was there and there were a lot of rumours circulating about Milan's future because of the scandal.

"Milan wouldn't let me go, and they gave me a new contract. Was I disappointed? Well it's true that unfortunately they wouldn't let me leave, but at the same time I spent 10 years at Milan, winning everything there was to win."

Pep Guardiola then tried to sign Pirlo for Barcelona in 2010.

Pirlo said he had been tempted, adding: "How could you not want to go there? Guardiola told me he wanted me in his team."

Pirlo left a year later for Juventus.

"I needed another team with a new project, but still a winning one," he said.

"Juve were perfect, as they hadn't won in a long time and were making their debut in their new stadium. It was the best place to start building."