Cassano begs for Roma return
Friday 3 November, 2006
Antonio Cassano has been frozen out at Real Madrid and sensationally begged for a reconciliation with Roma and Francesco Totti on television.
“I would gladly walk all the way if it meant returning to Roma,” said the fiery Italian on TeleRoma56.
Cassano was signed for £20m in 2001 from Bari and was a success story, but Fabio Capello’s departure, contract disputes and the souring of his rapport with captain Totti saw him become a pariah in the capital.
“I am playing for the strongest side in the world, but if I could go back and do it again, I don’t know if I’d leave Roma, seeing as I was loved there. In fact, I’d gladly return on foot.”
He was frozen out for six months before he was finally sold to Real Madrid in January for just over £5m, but his troublesome nature has caused problems there as well.
This week he was punished for insulting Coach Capello and it’s possible he’ll never play for the Merengues again.
“If I could go back in time, I’d stay at Roma for life and, considering how much the fans loved me, I should’ve stayed quiet and accepted the jeers. I care a great deal about the city and the club.”
He had been heavily linked with moves to Milan or Inter, but could a shock comeback for the Giallorossi be on the cards?
“I made a mistake with Totti. We were both perhaps a little too proud and let banal issues turn into huge problems. I should’ve sent him a message of congratulations for the birth of his son Cristian. We were great friends, but I let my pride get in the way. I would do a lot of things differently if I went back in time.”
Not only might this open the door to a Serie A return, but also to playing alongside his former friend Totti for the Azzurri squad.
“I made a lot of errors, with many people, but it wasn’t all my fault. My mistakes were always made spontaneously and with honesty. Am I expecting a call from Totti? It depends on him, but you should never say never. Life is beautiful because we have dreams. Roma will always have a place in my heart.”
The Giallorossi are on the look-out for a January signing to boost their attack and Cassano could fit into Luciano Spalletti’s system.
“I can see myself in Spalletti’s team. You need the players to put in the effort and I have lost weight and am more open to new ideas. This is the club where I found fame and I keep them in my heart.”
http://channel4.com/sport/football_italia/nov3q.html
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