Former Ajax star and Nigeria legend Finidi George has claimed Real Madrid couldn’t afford him when he left Ajax in 1996.

Ajax lost to Juventus in the 1995/96 Champions League final and were looking to let Finidi go for the right fee.

George told La Liga Show: “After our Champions League final defeat to Juventus (in 1995/1996), the coach made it clear that they wanted to sell me and if even I stayed back at Ajax, that I was not going to play.

“At that time, Real Madrid were interested in signing me but as at that time, they didn’t have the kind of money that they have now,” George told La Liga Show.

“Real Betis then came with a good offer and I had to go. My stay there was memorable.

“At Real Betis, I scored in the final of the Copa del Rey the following season against Barcelona. Real Betis were defeated 2-3 by Barcelona after extra time.

“It was a big game. Real Betis did everything we could but it was not possible (to win). Barcelona had the edge, they had the experience.”

George won the Champions League with Ajax in 1995 and also won three Dutch titles with the Dutch side.

He won the African Cup of Nations with Nigeria in 1994 and played at two World Cups. He is regarded as one of Nigeria’s greatest players of all time.