Buenos Aires, Mar 30 (IANS): Argentine striker Carlos Tevez has revealed he was close to joining Atletico Madrid before opting to return to his original club Boca Juniors last year.

The striker was contacted by Atletico manager and compatriot Diego Simeone during his final season at Juventus in 2014-15, reports Xinhua news agency.

"(Simeone) called me and I was excited about the idea," Tevez told Marca on Tuesday.

"Playing in Spain is something that is pending in my career, but I could not say no to Boca. Last year the only offer I had in Spain was from Atletico, but before that (Real) Madrid expressed interest in me."

Tevez has made an instant impact since returning to Boca, scoring 12 goals from 29 matches for the Buenos Aires club.

He said he was relishing the chance to be with his family but said he missed the relative anonymity of living in Europe.

"Over there, the fans don't crowd you as much," he said. "Here, there is a mob no matter where I go. As for football, I miss very little, not even the elite level of competition, which we also have here."