Former Real Madrid star reveals incredible story behind his Santiago Bernabeu transfer: ‘I thought it was a lie’ | OneFootball

Savio Bortolini needed just one season at Real Madrid to experience one of the defining moments in the club’s modern history.

The former Brazilian winger spent five seasons in Madrid and lifted the Champions League three times, but his first European triumph remains particularly special. 

Speaking to MARCA (h/t Mundo Deportivo), Savio looked back on his time at the club, including the circumstances that took him from Flamengo to the Santiago Bernabeu and the celebrations that followed his first major success.

Savio arrived at Real Madrid and conquered Europe

Savio explained that his first season at Real Madrid was difficult to forget because it ended with the club finally ending a long wait for European glory.

The Brazilian understood the significance of the Champions League before even experiencing it himself. 

Real Madrid had gone 32 years without winning the competition, meaning the pressure surrounding the club was enormous.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Savio Bortolini (@saviobortolini)

Looking back at his favourite memories, Savio said, “There were many [memorable moments]. I think a very, very special moment was right in my first season.

“I knew about the pressure surrounding the Champions League, after 32 years without winning it, and in my very first season we managed to do it. I remember we arrived in Madrid and left in several cars.

“I went to Cibeles for the first time, looked at it all, and thought: ‘What is this? How crazy!’ For me, it was incredible.

“I knew that we were leaving those 32 years behind, but it was also very important for me to arrive, win, and have peace of mind to continue my time in Madrid.”

That celebration at Cibeles became one of the memories that stayed with him long after his playing career in Madrid ended.

Lorenzo Sanz made Savio’s Real Madrid dream real

The story of how Savio actually became a Real Madrid player was almost as remarkable.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Savio Bortolini (@saviobortolini)

At the time, he was still at Flamengo and initially struggled to believe that the Spanish giants genuinely wanted him. 

“When I heard that Madrid wanted me, I was at Flamengo and I thought, ‘Well, that’s a lie.’ But it wasn’t a joke.” 

The interest became very real when then-president Lorenzo Sanz personally travelled to Brazil to push the deal forward.

Savio recalled the conversation involving his agent and Sanz, explaining just how quickly the decision had to be made.

There was little hesitation once the opportunity became genuine. Savio accepted the chance to join Real Madrid and went on to spend five seasons at the club.

I remember Lorenzo Sanz personally going to Brazil and telling my agent, ‘I need Savio’s yes or no now because I’m heading back to the airport, I’m going to Madrid, and I need your confirmation now.’ And I said, ‘Of course I’m going,’” he concluded.