McAteer on emotional Reds return
Jason McAteer insisted there is 'no better feeling' than representing Liverpool FC after Sunday's legends clash with Real Madrid.
The former Republic of Ireland international was in fine form as he pulled on the red shirt once more at the Santiago Bernabeu, providing two first-half assists for Harry Kewell and Michael Owen to help the visitors carve out a 2-0 lead.
Unfortunately, Real overturned that two-goal deficit and went on to win the charity fixture 4-2 - but that didn't take the shine off for McAteer.
He says simply running out for the Reds again was reward enough.
"You leave Liverpool... and I get emotional now just thinking about it," he told Liverpoolfc.com.
"It's a great club, a brilliant club and you want to be a part of it at every opportunity.
"When you get asked to play legends games with your heroes like Aldo, Ronnie [Whelan].
"Unfortunately, it's getting younger and those lads aren't able to come now and it's now me, Robbie [Fowler], Macca, Rob Jones, the lads like Patrik [Berger].
"It's great getting together as a team and a bunch of lads but when it's for Liverpool there's no better feeling."
Despite representing Liverpool in Europe on a number of occasions during his playing days, Jason had never previously run out at the Bernabeu.
And he admits he couldn't quite believe that the chance had finally come to him years after his retirement.
"Things like this come around once in a lifetime," he continued.
"Obviously, Macca [Steve McManaman] has played here [regularly] and it must have been brilliant.
"When I finished playing I came to watch Barcelona here and did the tour and it's brilliant.
"[But] when I got the opportunity to come and play, it's just a dream come true. You've got to pinch yourself."