10 Players You Didn't Know Nearly Signed For AC Milan

1. Xavi Hernandez

No amount of superlatives can describe just what a fabulous technician Xavi Hernandez is. The metronome of the Barcelona team, his fluid passing, effervescent movement and hawk-eye vision is what has kept the Catalonians ticking over for the last decade. He has been the fulcrum for their success, and is rightly regarded as one of the finest orchestrators and manipulators of the ball the world has ever seen. Is it really any surprise that the top three players in this list have spent the bones of two decades at their club, considering how good they are? There aren€™t many superlatives that would do these players justice, but priceless is a good place to start. Anyway, believe it or not, the heartbeat of the Nou Camp was almost a Milan player at one point in his career. It would appear that the reason the all-time Champions League appearance record holder never turned out for the Rossoneri was on account of the lady of the house. At the time, Xavi was plying his trade in the Barcelona B side, and his path to the first-team was blocked to the first-team, but his mother shrewdly observed that he would make it at the Nou Camp.

''Galliani came and put an offer on the table when Xavi played for Barcelona B, offering him a four-year contract. At the time he had Pep Guardiola in front of him, but inside of me, I thought it would tear the family apart completely if he went. Besides, I always thought, although it might be difficult, he would be a success at Barcelona.۪۪ - Maria Merce Creus, Xavi۪s mother, September 2012.

After 728 appearances and 22 trophies, this was certainly a case of mother knowing best. So that's a wrap - what do you think? Any glaring omissions? As always, feel free to leave your thoughts and opinions in the comment section below.