Bruno has revealed how he could have made his footballing name in Madrid – but for the well-meaning intervention of his parents.

The Albion skipper turned down a deal from Real Madrid on the advice of Mum and Dad as a youth teamer in Catalonia. He was also being pursued by Atletico after a high-flying under-18 campaign.

Now the Seagulls skipper is relishing the chance to lead his side out against one of Spain’s top three to complete the pre-season programme.

In fact, he has had Sunday’s run-out in the back of his mind ever since he got a call from his brother to tell him it was happening after news leaked out in Spain ahead of official confirmation.

Bruno has played against Atletico Madrid before, in his days with Almeria and Valencia. But now he has spoken of the time Real Madrid made their big offer – and how Mum and Dad said No.

They were concerned about the standard of care he would enjoy away from the training pitch had he made the trip from rural Catalonia to the big city.

So they knocked back persistent interest from Madrid scout Paco Gracia.

The career path which brought Bruno to the Amex was thus launched at Espanyol in downtown Barcelona.

The Argus:

Bruno went on to play for Valencia

Bruno told The Argus: “I was playing for Lleida at under-18. I was 16, 17 and I had a really good season in the top league in that age group.

“I had a few offers and one was from Real Madrid.

“I had Espanyol and Atletico Madrid as well and others.

“But Real Madrid were trying with money and other stuff.

“My parents, the thing they kept asking was, ‘Where is he going to live?’ “At that time the players were living in a hotel. They were going to school as well, of course.

“But my mum and dad thought 16, 17 living in a hotel in Madrid? That’s not the right thing.

“At Espanyol I was in a massive flat with a lovely couple.

“My parents said, ‘Listen you are going there’. We said to Real Madrid I was going to Espanyol.

“Madrid offered more money but it wasn’t about that so we went to Espanyol. Acually, for me and for my parents, it was an easy decision.

“It was closer to home because we live an hour or 45 minutes from Barcelona.”

Mum Roser said: “Bruno knew from a young age he would have to leave home to fulfil his football dreams.

“We asked what the conditions would be in Madrid. Imagine – 16, 17 in a hotel in Madrid with money in his pocket? Disaster for sure!

“So he went to sign for Espanyol.”

Bruno has no complaints about where that path has led on and off the field.

That life-changing moment from his teenage years was highlighted by a Catalan TV programme released at about the time of Albion’s promotion.

It showed the rather sleepy town of Mora d’Ebre and the now rusting set of goalposts in the family’s back yard which were once a very special present at Christmas for the up-and-coming footballer.

It is all about the pristine Amex now as Atleti head to Brighton.

Their combination of skilled ball play and almost English-type intensity made them a top choice for Chris Hughton as he planned his summer.

Bruno said: “We know it will be a really hard test.

“We know about their quality and we know how hard they work.

“When you play against big teams, you can sometimes expect them not to play at 100% because it’s a friendly.

“But we know about their manager and we know it will be a really big test – and it will be a good test for them as well.”

Bruno faced Atleti’s senior side seven times in his days with Almeria and Valencia, including a European tie.

He enjoyed a clean sheet when Almeria drew 0-0 at home.

His last meeting ended in a 2-1 success for Valencia at the Vicente Calderon when his great mate Joaquin scored twice.

But, above all, those battles were about trying to keep quiet a strikeforce built around Diego Forlan and Sergio Aguero with Simao Sabrosa working the flanks.

Simao and Aguero scored two apiece when Almeria were beaten 6-3 in the capital. Now the countdown is on for the rematch with Aguero when Manchester City visit next Saturday.

Bruno said: “The special one will be the first at home, because it will be the first Premier League game for Brighton at the Amex.

“But after that every game will be special. I will try to enjoy every single game.

“We want to show respect, because it is Premier League, but we don’t fear any team.

“Football is about small details. If we can get the small details right, it’s going to be really tight.”