'I was convinced to join Barcelona. But he was on vacation': Guardiola's behaviour was the reason why Mesut Ozil decided to join Real Madrid over Barcelona

Former Real Madrid midfielder Mesut Ozil has revealed that Pep Guardiola’s weird behaviour is why he opted against joining Barcelona in 2010. 

He wrote in his upcoming autobiography Magic of the Game: “Before I personally wanted to go to Barcelona. I was convinced to go there. No team of the world played more beautiful football at this time.

“But the absence of Pep Guardiola made me suspicious. When my consultant and I flew back from Barcelona, I asked him again and again. Why was the coach not there?" His answer was always the same: 'He was on vacation.’

“Guardiola did not call me in the following days either. He did not even send an SMS. He did not send me a signal that he wanted me to. After that my enthusiasm for Barcelona steadily declined.

“Because of Guardiola's behaviour, I did not want to go to Barcelona. Especially because Mourinho fought so much at the same time. He was so convincing. So heartfelt, trying so hard He was the complete opposite of the Barca coach. So I decided for José Mourinho and Real Madrid.”

Ozil went on to have an impressive career at Real Madrid, scoring 27 goals and providing 80 assists in 159 appearances for them. He also won the La Liga, Copa del Rey and Spanish Supercopa titles with them in his four years at the club.