Manchester City midfielder Patrick Vieira believes he should have left Arsenal for Real Madrid, rather than moving to Italy to join Juventus in 2005.

The Frenchman enjoyed nine seasons with the Gunners, during which time he won three Premier League titles and four FA Cups.

Vieira has revealed now though that he should have joined the Spainish giants when given the opportunity at the end of the 2004-05 campaign.

“It was complicated at [Real] Madrid,” Vieira told the Mirror. “I was suspicious. The lack of recognition for [Claude] Makelele over there scared me. I was scared it would happen to me.

“But I should have gone there. Today I don’t regret the career that I have had but if I could have changed one thing, it would be that. To go to Madrid.”