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In 1996, Youri Djorkaeff had already made himself one of the finest midfielders in European football.

After playing a key role in Paris Saint-Germain’s UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup triumph, he faced a major decision as two high-profile European clubs fought for his signature.

In Spain, Barcelona were among the continent’s strongest teams, and their revolutionary manager Johan Cruyff was eager to bring the France international into his star-studded squad. But one conversation changed everything.

For Djorkaeff, the opportunity to work with his childhood hero Cruyff nearly became impossible to refuse.

“Johan Cruyff was my idol,” Djorkaeff tells FourFourTwo. “I had posters of him on my bedroom wall. It is rare to be a legend both as a player and as a coach, but he was.”

As Barcelona increased their interest, Djorkaeff’s dream of playing under the Dutch great was getting closer to reality.

“Barcelona called my father and said Johan wanted me, then I spoke with him myself,” he continues. “Just imagine – playing for Cruyff’s Barça, my biggest reference.

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“He even explained how he wanted me to play, just behind Ronaldo. Everything was ready for me to sign.”

But then a phone call arrived that altered the direction of Djorkaeff’s career.

“Then Cruyff called. He knew my main reason for joining was him, and admitted he was having problems with the club president and might not stay.

“I was sad because I had been excited about playing under him,” he admits, before his focus shifted to another European giant. “But I was already in contact with Inter.

“They pushed hard, from the sporting side to the finances, and I was fascinated by San Siro and the club’s history. The chairman Massimo Moratti invited us to his father’s house before we made our decision, and he convinced me.

“Moratti became like family – I had two children in Milan, and he always came to the hospital to make sure everything had gone well.”