Fabio Cannavaro will be marking Antonio Cassano on his Milan debut in Dubai and gives some advice to Juventus over the Calciopoli trial.
The World Cup winner opted to join Al-Ahly rather than hang up his boots in the summer and is enjoying this phase of his career.
“I discovered a wonderful new world,” he told the Gazzetta dello Sport. “There are great traditions here like Ramadan, which is not just prayer and fasting, but a way for families to stay together.
Fabio Cannavaro will be marking Antonio Cassano on his Milan debut in Dubai and gives some advice to Juventus over the Calciopoli trial.
The World Cup winner opted to join Al-Ahly rather than hang up his boots in the summer and is enjoying this phase of his career.
“I discovered a wonderful new world,” he told the Gazzetta dello Sport. “There are great traditions here like Ramadan, which is not just prayer and fasting, but a way for families to stay together.
“I am happy being out of the spotlight and am shaking off the stress of so many years. I can go out every night, because if you don't drink or smoke, then staying out late isn't too much of a problem.”
Milan arrive in Dubai today for their mid-season training camp and will play against Al-Ahly on January 2, which should see Cassano's debut for the club.
“I hope he can express his talent to the full at Milan and find the results he has so far lacked in his career. With Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the Rossoneri are in pole position for the Scudetto.
“As for Napoli, they have an excellent squad and you can see Walter Mazzarri's work. If they carry on like this, then they can reach the Champions League. If there were something more than that… then we fans would walk to the Santuario della Madonna in Pompei!”
Cannavaro is also keeping an eye on another of his former clubs, as Juventus President Andrea Agnelli is fighting to have the Calciopoli titles re-assigned.
“He is right, as that team was the best on the pitch. It wasn't normal for Luciano Moggi to have special SIM cards to talk to referees, but all the clubs had less than transparent relationships with the officials.
“We have to set precise rules so the referees are left to do their work. In Italy we have rules that nobody really respects. We've all got to wake up.”
Cannavaro had a brief stint at Inter too, but the Nerazzurri have parted company with Rafa Benitez to draft in Leonardo.
“Benitez is a good Coach, but he could've waited a few days after the Club World Cup to speak out. I wish Leonardo luck, but the atmosphere around Inter seems to have gone back to what it was five years ago.”