Realmadrid News

Fabio Cannavaro:"I intend to stay at the top"

Fabio Cannavaro was the first to hold a press conference in 2007. Charming and smiling as always, he wished everybody a Happy New Year as soon as he walked into the room. Cannavaro said it will be "very hard" for 2007 to be as good a year as 2006 was for him. He admitted being bitter about the defeat against Recreativo, adding, "I love football because every Sunday we get the chance of making things right."

Do you expect this year to be as good as 2006 was for you?
It will be very hard to emulate the phenomenal 2006. I played with Juventus and won the World Cup, which is the dream of every player. I also won the Ballon d'Or and the FIFA World Player award, which, again, every player dreams of winning. It's harder for me now because people pay more attention to what I do.

On the other hand, the year didn't end that well.
It ended awfully. It was a disaster. We lost 3-0 at home playing appallingly bad. But what I like about football is that every Sunday we get the chance of making things right.

In the Italian press you were quoted saying that in Spain teams train less than in Italy.
There's always differences between what I say in Italy and how it is reported here. In Italy teams always hold very tough and physical training sessions. Here in Spain, they focus more on technique and ball work.


What is your goal this year?
I intend to stay at the top and to keep in shape. It is always hard to perform regularly at a high level. I played some good and some bad matches at the end of 2006 and I don't like that. I like to be more regular.

You would obviously like to win some titles.
I hope we do. We're here because we want to win a title. We must stay calm and work hard because that is the key to winning titles.

What do you think about the possibility of the Club signing a new centre back during the winter transfer window?
I'm here to play and not to comment on these matters. We have very strong players. You should ask Mijatovic, Capello or the President, not me.

Was the criticism you got for winning the Ballon d'Or and the FIFA World Player award fair in any way?
Any player can win these awards.

It is rumoured Cassano may return to Italy?
Antonio is relaxed. He came here in order to become an important player. He has a lot of quality and talent. He must be allowed to play. He is a good teammate and I hope he stays.

What do you think of Gago and Higuaín?
I haven't seen them play much. They have strong personalities. They are training well and they musn't alow themselves to get too anxious.


Report by Luis Navarro
Photography by Ángel Martínez
Translation by Michael J. O'Donnell

posted by khalidmrrakchi@hotmail.com @ 12:10 PM