Sergio Ramos says the Champions League was “important” in his decision to return to boyhood club Sevilla this summer after his Paris St-Germain contract expired.
The centre-back, 37, is hoping to shake off a calf injury in time to face Arsenal at the Emirates on Wednesday
Ramos won Europe’s top competition four times during 16 seasons at Real Madrid.
“Sevilla were playing in the Champions League and that was a plus in making such a decision,” Ramos said.
“I had received offers of going abroad, to Saudi Arabia, for instance – but this was a debt I had to my club, to Sevilla, the first team where I triumphed.”
Ramos did not feature in Saturday’s 1-1 La Liga draw against Celta Vigo but gave an update on his fitness before Sevilla’s crucial Group B match against the Gunners.
“It is a minor injury. I hope to be able to play the game but I don’t know whether it might come too soon,” he added.
“Let’s just take it one day at a time and let’s see how I’m able to evolve and hopefully, I would love to play.”
Arsenal top the group on six points while Sevilla are third, four points back, and looking for their first win in this season’s competition.
Arsenal’s Gabriel Jesus will not feature due to the hamstring injury he suffered in the 2-1 away win at Sevilla on 24 October.
Captain Martin Odegaard is a doubt after missing Saturday’s 1-0 defeat against Newcastle in the Premier League.
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