Real Madrid GM Jorge Valdano insists he was right over their failure to sign Barcelona defender Gabriel Milito.

The Argentina international saw a move to Real in 2003 fall through over a failed medical, which drew plenty of heat for Valdano after the defender eventually signed for Real Zaragoza ahead of moving onto Barca.

But with Milito now struggling with long-term injury, Valdano declared to DPA: "People demanded answers about Milito, who was an interesting player in technical terms. But over time, the reasons I gave have proven correct."