Antonio Cassano has dismissed rumours of a move away from Parma, as well as reports that he was a disruptive influence at the World Cup.
Antonio Cassano has dismissed rumours of a move away from Parma, as well as reports that he was a disruptive influence at the World Cup.
The 32-year-old’s future has been up for debate once more this summer, particularly in response to the Duculi losing out on a place in Europe having failed to obtain a UEFA Licence on a technicality.
“I received an important offer from the Emirates, but for me happiness is something else,” Cassano has explained, however, to reporters today.
“Happiness is Parma. Parma for me is like Barcelona. The money does not matter, here I am divinely happy. I will stay here, unless I screw up.
“The Europa League? We should be angry for the lousy injustice that we have seen. If we achieve sixth, seventh, eighth, I don’t know, but we will play with great anger.
“I want to take from them what they have taken from us. I want our opponents at the Tardini to be scared of our fans.
“My condition? I have returned five pounds lighter than last year, now I have to recuperate and recover well. The weight is not a problem. I’m not fat.”
New Sampdoria President Massimo Ferrero has been linked with a move for the forward.
“Is that the guy from Nutella? I’m 100 per cent at Parma. There was a problem in January. But 99 per cent I will stay at Parma and see out my career here.
“Leonardi and Donadoni have been crucial, without them I do not know what would have happened.”
Cassano played in his first World Cup this summer after being called up by Cesare Prandelli, although the competition did not end well for the Azzurri.
“I can only thank Prandelli. Within four years he has done an outstanding job, then some have enjoyed butchering him.
“We’ve all done wrong, we are all to blame. Some have exaggerated about him, this is Italy.”
Speculation after the elimination centred on a number of theories including Cassano and Mario Balotelli were outcasts from the main group of players.
“I was with everyone, especially with Buffon. With Gigi I had a close relationship and from the beginning I told him that I was delighted to be part of this group, even without playing.
“I promised to behave in a certain way and so it was. I did not have any problems with anyone but I have been taken as a scapegoat, but I am used to this, I have broad shoulders.
“It is all false. Buffon did not name names when he criticised the younger players, it created a problem. Because when Gigi has a problem he says it to your face.
“Someone has had fun throwing dirt on myself and Buffon.”
It’s a stage of Cassano’s career where he is asked a lot about his past indiscretions at the likes of Roma and Real Madrid.
“I have many regrets, I think I gave 50 per cent of what I could have done. I screwed around a lot, but I cannot go back.
“My future? I do not want to be a clown who plays until they are 36, 37, 40 years old. When my time comes, I will retire. I do not know what I will do, because I cannot do anything.”
Cassano joined Parma from Inter last summer, hitting out at Walter Mazzarri for lying to him.
“The Scudetto? I hope that Inter win, but not for the Coach, but because I am a fan of this team. Again, not for who is sitting on that bench…”