Fabinho has revealed how he found out he would be joining Real Madrid in 2012 as well as opening up on his bizarre first encounter with Jose Mourinho.
The Brazilian did not win at the Bernabeu, having made their first-team appearance before naming it in Monaco and later with Liverpool.
The Reds star has revealed how he signed for Los Blancos, saying the Castilla club needs a right-back – a position he played before becoming a defensive midfielder.
“We arrived in Portugal, but I stayed on Rio Ave for only two weeks, maybe three more,” Fabinho told FourFourTwo.
“I was going to roast meat with some Brazilians and then my agent called to tell me that Real Madrid Castilla [Real Madrid team] needs a right-back and wants to know if I like it.
“Then one night, Lucio [Araujo, Deco’s brother, a former Chelsea and Barcelona player, came and told me to pack up because Jorge Mendes was driving in the morning.
“I was saying,‘ Is something wrong? ’No one said a word, but once we were in the car, Mendes said we were going to Madrid and I would sign them.
“I called my mom in Brazil and told her about it and she just cried.
Mourinho was in charge of Real at the time, having recently led the club to the La Liga title in 2011/12 – the first in four years – and Fabinho revealed he was not ready for their first meeting.
“We were on our way to a hotel in Madrid, and while I was asleep, I woke up to a knock on the door,” added Fabinho.
“I looked around in disbelief. It was Mendes and Jose Mourinho! I was still wearing my pajamas, and I had no intention of meeting him. I didn’t even know what to say.
“She wanted to accept me. I was so embarrassed and I never thought I would meet him like that! ”
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