Italy legend Fabio Cannavaro insists he ‘didn’t betray Juventus‘ for Real Madrid in 2006 and believes tomorrow’s game against Napoli ‘is not decisive.’
The Bianconeri face Napoli at the Stadio Maradona tomorrow. Cannavaro made his Serie A debut with the Partenopei in a 4-3 loss in Turin against the Old Lady and joined Juventus many years later, at the peak of his career.
Luciano Spalletti’s Napoli have only lost one game this season and are enjoying a seven-point lead over the Bianconeri on top of the Serie A table.
“I learned how to win in Turin, but Naples is my city and I will forever be a Neapolitan,” Cannavaro told La Repubblica Torino.
“Tomorrow’s game is important, but not decisive. Napoli have been playing the best brand of football in Europe for months. Juventus are always a reference point and are always hungry for victories, it can be an amazing game.”
Cannavaro left Juventus in 2006 following the Calciopoli scandal joining Real Madrid. He was heavily criticised by Juventus fans even when he made his return to the club in 2009.
“I betrayed nobody,” said the 2006 Italy World Cup winner.
“Juventus and Real Madrid reached an agreement for my transfer, who was involved knows the truth. Everything was clear, and I even returned to Juventus a few years later.”
Cannavaro played 421 games in Serie A and on paper, he never won a Scudetto given that the only two he had conquered with Juventus were revoked due to the Calciopoli scandal.
No he did not betray them, he did what was best for himself like most self serving players do.