Former Bayern Munich midfielder Thiago Alcantara was reportedly very emotional ahead of his transfer to Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool, so much so that he broke down in tears.
Bavarians CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has revealed that Thiago broke down in his arms for five minutes after being granted his transfer to the reigning Premier League champions.
"I thought to myself: 'What's he doing here?' He came up to me and cried in my arms for five minutes. He cried for five minutes and simply said: 'Thank you very much for allowing this.'
"He is a great human being and was always a first-class player for Bayern Munich. I was tremendously happy for him in (the Champions League games in) Lisbon.
"He has always been questioned because he supposedly isn't capable of bringing big performances in big games, but in the entire three-game tournament in Lisbon he proved what quality he has.
"That he is now leaving us is a big loss quality-wise, but also just as a human being. Despite that, we respected that he wanted to do something new.
"His contract, just like David Alaba's, was running out in a year. Every club would, of course, like to avoid having a player of that quality leave for nothing and we considered this and granted his wish, but he has conducted himself brilliantly.
"The way he said goodbye to all the employees and players was unbelievable. I became teary-eyed too because I always had a really close relationship with him.
"You would run into him in Grunwald regularly and meet him in the evening for dinner and things like that. It was almost a familial relationship that was cultivated with him and you get to know the player not just on the pitch but as a human being. He is a super guy."
Thiago made his debut for the Reds in their 2-0 Premier League win over Chelsea on Sunday.
