Schalke midfielder Max Meyer admits it is his dream to play for Real Madrid or Barcelona one day, although he insists he is happy in Gelsenkirchen.
Meyer, 19, impressed against Real as Schalke in the Champions League last month.
That result was not enough to take Schalke through to the quarterfinals, but it was a demonstration that the Germany under-21 international is one of European football's rising stars.
"Every child dreams of playing for Real Madrid or Barcelona one day," Meyer told the newspaper. "They are the best teams in the year.
"However, I'm very happy with Schalke and I'm getting my games here. That's going to be the case even if we only play in the Europa League next season."
That is looking increasingly likely in the wake of a on Sunday which leaves the Royal Blues trailing fourth-placed Bayer Leverkusen by eight points with only seven games of the season remaining.
Meyer could nevertheless be a target in the transfer market this summer, especially in view of a reported €25.5-million release clause in the contract he signed with the Gelsenkirchen club in December 2013.
When penning that deal until 2017, he said having the opportunity to play in Europe was one of the main reasons he committed.
"Two things were important for me: that the club put their faith in players from their own youth academy and that I've got the chance to play in Europe at such a young age," .
Schalke could yet slip out of the top six and miss out on Europe next season with three points between them and seventh-placed Hoffenheim.
Use a to add a comment, subject to Facebook's and Your Facebook name, photo & other personal information you make public on Facebook will appear with your comment, and may be used on ESPN's media platforms.