Franz Beckenbauer has advised Michael Ballack to join Real Madrid if he decides to leave Bayern Munich.
Beckenbauer, who as president of Bayern, is trying to convince Ballack to stay at Bayern, believes Manchester United, Real Madrid and Inter all interested in signing the German captain.
“I’d probably say yes to Real Madrid,” Beckenbauer told Sport Bild magazine.
“They stand above all others in terms of legend. They’re the ambition of everyone and it was the same in my time. But Michael must know where his own future lies.
“We understand that Michael is not shrieking hooray because he’s got the chance to stay at Bayern and that he’s studying the position.
“But take the Italian league. They often have crowds of just seven, eight or 9,000. That’s like the regional league in Germany. I don’t know if he’d have fun there. In the Bundesliga we have average crowds of 40,000.”
Ballack has said he will decide at the end of November whether to stay at Bayern or move on.
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, the Bayern chief executive, recently told the 29-year-old not to move to Manchester United or Real Madrid.
“I don’t believe he’ll go to Manchester United,” Rummenigge said. “They are 10 points behind the leaders and I don’t think they’re going to be champions. What speaks for Manchester United over Bayern Munich?
“Real Madrid obviously have an incredible image but they haven’t won anything in two years.”
