Smit was linked with both LaLiga giants over the summer, but was happy to stay with AZ and in the Eredivisie.
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He told De Telegraaf: "I've seen my name pop up a lot on social media.
"I should have been in the sights of Real Madrid and Barcelona. It made me proud. I want to get to the top as quickly as possible, take the big step.
"Sometimes I talk about it at home. Not always, obviously. But I know I want to have a good season with AZ and then see what happens.
"The leap doesn't have to be next year."