"If Real Madrid offer you to come, you can't let the opportunity pass you by"
Happy as can be, Fabio Cannavaro cast a radiant smile all morning long and didn't take it off even when it was his turn to answer the media, who gathered by the tens to cover the first press conference of the Italian skipper, who has just joined Real Madrid. Hard work, effort, fight and thirst for victories. He doesn't get tired of repeating his motto. “I am always ready to give my very best,” states Cannavaro, precisely one of the most welcome virtues of all Real Madrid fans and supporters worldwide. He says, “A player feeds on great accomplishments and passions.” From today, his is Real Madrid.
You have inherited Zidane's number 5 shirt.
Wearing the shirt of Real Madrid is the highest honour. I am so happy. I chose it precisely because it was the number I wore during the World Cup and it was up for grabs. Sporting Zidane's number is an honour, but not a source of overbearing responsibility. Zidane is the world's greatest player.
What made you finally decide for Real Madrid?
Everyone is well acquainted with the situation in Italy. My two years at Juve have been very important and I have always given my all. I've had a good spell there, but if at 32 you're offered the opportunity of coming to play for Real, you have to take advantage of it hands down. Playing for this Club is a great chance to keep aspiring to win.
Was it hard to leave Juventus?
A player feeds on the potential of great accomplishments and on passions. At 32, almost 33, it is superb to able to play at this level. My years at Juve have been exceptional. It was a tough decision, but at my age I will keep on competing at the highest level.
Would you have signed either way if La Juve was not being relegated to the Serie B
I think it would have proved very hard for Juventus to let go of me if they could have continued in the Serie A . Considering it's very likely that this will not happen, Juventus also thought this was an opportunity for them.
Did your contract carry an attached rescinding clause that took into account a potential relegation by Juventus?
Absolutely not. There was no clause of this type. Both teams sat down to reach an agreement, which also included Emerson. Happily, Fabio Capello and Madrid had reached a previous agreement. That facilitated things.
You are World Champion, you have won leagues… but you're still missing the Champions League. Do you think you could get it this year?
I hope so. It's my main objective, and only these types of challenges give you the strength to keep fighting, training and working daily.
Was Capello's presence at Real Madrid a decisive factor for your arrival?
Capello was very important. Capello knows Cannavaro very well, and vice versa.
Which player are you most thrilled to meet?
Ronaldo, Beckham, Raúl, Cassano... they are all top players. I've had the bad luck of covering them in the past. And I say bad luck because they are great footballers. I know them quite well and so do they.
What do you have to offer to Real Madrid?
I am always willing to give my very best. I can be defined as a player that always fights. I train hard and I always have my five senses on the match, during and after. This is what I can contriibute to Real Madrid.
Is this a dream come true?
Playing for such an important Club, the greatest during the 20th century, is a great source of pride.
What does today's Cannavaro still have of the 16-year old ball boy from the 1990 Italy World Cup?
I had the luck of being a ball boy as a fan of Naples during a time when the team won many trophies. I was in the pitch when Real Madrid came to play Naples, with that goal by Butragueño. Now, I am lucky to have won the World Cup and to be signing for Real Madrid. It means a lot of dreams actually do come true.
Alfonso Del Corral, the head of Real Madrid's Medical Services, says you are fit as a bull.
That means I am doing well, both physically and mentally. I am at the disposal of the coach, who will then decide if I get to play or not.
Italians have a hard time getting accustomed to the Spanish League.
Historically, Italy has been an importing country, not an exporting one. The main reasons being family, language, customs… lots of things are influential in this sense. But I don't believe there will be any problems adapting.
What do you think of the Spanish championship?
I have always wanted to play here. When Real Madrid offers you to come at 33, you can't let the opportunity pass you by.
Defenders tend to receive much criticism in the world of football.
A defender's error is always more visible and harder to manage because it could mean conceding goals. If you concede many, you can't win. I am dying to contribute my knowledge and experience to the group and to the defensive line. I hope we don't concede many goals this season; it's my main objective.
What did you think of the scuffle between Zidane and Materazzi?
Zidane made a mistake, but he's still a great champion.
At 32, you seem to be as thrilled to play as a 13-year old boy would.
Yes, because I love playing the sport. This is a new experience. It's very important for me, and I approach the challenge with the highest hopes and the enthusiasm and passion that I had back when I was a young boy.
