Antonio Cassano admits “I only did 50 per cent of what I could have done” and picks his ideal XI.
The former Roma forward, currently a free agent, was touted as the best Italian talent of his generation but had numerous run-ins with Coaches, Presidents and referees.
“I love football,” Cassano told Gazzetta dello Sport.
“It made me a man, it gave me popularity and wealth. I gave football goals and emotions, but I only did 50 per cent of what I could have done.
Antonio Cassano admits “I only did 50 per cent of what I could have done” and picks his ideal XI.
The former Roma forward, currently a free agent, was touted as the best Italian talent of his generation but had numerous run-ins with Coaches, Presidents and referees.
“I love football,” Cassano told Gazzetta dello Sport.
“It made me a man, it gave me popularity and wealth. I gave football goals and emotions, but I only did 50 per cent of what I could have done.
“One thing I’d take back? Insulting Riccardo Garrone. I’ll never forgive myself. I was able to apologise to him before he died, and that calmed me. But what I did still weighs heavily on me.”
Cassano was then asked to name his ideal XI made up of players he’s played with.
“This is no problem, I’ve had it in my head for many years. Let’s start with the formation, it’s a bit special. I chose 4-2-2-2. Because I’m always going to play up-front.
“I keep the national team in mind, so in goal I’ll go for Gigi Buffon, a monument, the greatest of all time. Only the German, [Manuel] Neuer, can come close to him.
“I’ll play four in defence and on the right my ideal player is il Pendolino Cafu, he went up and down the wing and never stopped.
“In central defence I’ll choose Sergio Ramos and [Alessandro] Nesta, so no-one will get past. Sandro was very good, but perhaps slightly inferior to Paolo Maldini, my real nightmare before matches. I wanted to play with him.
“On the left I’ll have Roberto Carlos: devastating.
“The midfield is very attacking and has absolute quality. [Andrea] Pirlo and Guti in the middle. Pirlo is the genius, Guti gave a lot less than he was capable of, like me.
“Trust me in my judgement though, I know him well and he was truly world-class, he had the talent in his feet to win two Ballon d’Or.
“In front of Pirlo and Guti I’ve put another two footballing monsters: [Zinedine] Zidane and [Francesco] Totti. You just have to imagine the balls they’d give to the strikers.
“Who are the strikers? A pair made up of me and il Fenomeno of course. Ronaldo, like me, didn't have much desire to work but he was so strong that it didn’t make much difference on the pitch.
“Would Fabio Capello be the Coach? No, that’s the response which would be spontaneous. I’ve had so many Coaches but I’d choose Cesare Prandelli. Tactically he’s really a monster.”