"Our mentality is what differentiates us from the rest"
Fabio Cannavaro has spent one year donning the Real Madrid shirt and is now ready to take on season two as the leader of the defence with two new teammates Pepe and Metzelder. In an interview with sports daily Marca, Cannavaro explained that his main goal is to win the 10th European Cup for Real Madrid.
How did your holiday feel?
Very good. I feel phenomenal and am ready to start training and playing football. It's been a great month to rest, recharge my batteries, and have some fun. I'm looking forward to kicking the ball.
Do you miss the competition?
Yes. I'm ready to begin competing again after a month off. After winning the League with Real Madrid everything should be a lot easier. The team is more confident, we have a new coach, and we have to maintain the spirit that made us champions of the League.
What do you know about Schuster?
He's a new coach and I remember him as a player. They used to call me Schuster when I was small. I had long, blond hair. He did a great job with Getafe and now he wants to be successful with Real Madrid. We all have to ready to play for him. We have to remain united.
Schuster has said that he is counting on you and that you are very important. What do you think about that?
It feels good that he said that. I am looking forward to improving and winning titles with Real Madrid. I did make some mistakes last season, but I also think I played well over the last two months. It's only normal to have some trouble after a World Cup and a move to a new country. But I rested a lot this summer and I now know Spanish football and Spain, so I hope I can perform well. I want to continue winning titles this season. Finishing second here isn't acceptable.
Improving upon last year's accomplishments will be hard. How did you celebrate so much success over your holiday?
I wake up every morinng and celebrate the fact that I am the champion of the world and of Spain. What more can I ask for? I really had a great time over the holiday remembering what I accomplished. I am happy.
How do you see your future? We've spent the last month listening to rumours about you leaving Real Madrid.
They aren't true. In Italy they insist that I am returning, but it's not true. I have always said that I am happy at Real Madrid and in Spain. I am happy to have signed for this team. I don't know where they come up with all those teams that I will be joining. I don't understand why they say that stuff. I am calm. No one in the Club has told me that there's an offer for me or that they want to sell me. No one at Real Madrid has said anything to me. I am sure I will continue with Real Madrid. Why would I leave the most important Club in the world? I am happy and can't ask for anything else.
What do you think about Metzelder and Pepe being signed?
Great. They are both good defenders. Pepe is young and talented. Metzelder has lots of experience. They will be great additions to the defence. It's only normal that we sign two good defenders after Pavón and Mejía left.
Do you like the signing of Saviola?
Yes. It's better to have him on your side than on the opponent's. Saviola had the chance to leave and Real Madrid was correct in signing him. Saviola is a footballer that guarantees goals. He'll serve us well.
Who has to be worried of who? Barcelona of Madrid or vice versa?
Barcelona of us because we are the champions.
What's your next goal?
Winning the Champions League. It's the only title I'm missing and I want to win it. I'm sure the fans would love it as well. We have to stay very focused and try to win the 10th European Cup for Madrid. It would be a huge success for me. I want to win the Champions League.
Do you think you have the team to win it?
I'm sure we do. We're Real Madrid and I'm sure we have the team to win the Champions League. We have to maintain the mentality that made us champions of the League. We have to continue with the same spirit and continue playing as a team. That was the key to winning the League. We were a team and it didn't matter who was playing because the group was clicking on all cylinders.
Is Real Madrid's pending task to play pretty football?
We always want to play well. We hope that our fans see better games this season. But when all is said and done, what people really want is to win titles. If we can win and play well at the same time, even better. Look what happened to Barcelona. Everyone said they played well, but they didn't win anything. I'm sure they would have wanted to win a title or to be in our situation. If we play well, that's great.
What does Real Madrid have that other teams don't?
Our mentality is what differentiates us from the rest, and it's what we have to hold on to. Winning the League really worked wonders for us.
You're not tired of winning titles?
I will never get tired of winning. I love it. I have won a lot, but I don't live in the past. Everything I've won is behind me and I just focus on the future because I want to continue winning. I will turn 34 in September and I haven't lost my drive. I don't live in the past. I feel good, I'm motivated, and my goal is to win the Champions League, the only title I'm missing. That's why I think Pepe and Metzelder are good signings. There will be a lot of matches this season and I can't play my best football through all 70 games. I can play 40. We need a team and players that can regulate and pick up the slack.
Will you hang up your boots playing for Real Madrid?
I want to finish out my contract. That's why I signed it.
