Soccer Extreme : The Sampdoria starlet is well known for his gregarious approach to life and sport, which can also spill out into temper tantrums that have wrecked his career at Roma and Real Madrid.“If I had [teammate Angelo] Palombo’s brain, then in the whole world the only one who could beat me would be Leo Messi. He is the greatest.
“Unfortunately I cannot change my crazy head and after all these years not even my mother knows what’s going on in there.”
This is also the main reason why Cassano has been left out of the Italy squad, but he laughed it off by referencing the recent row between Lippi and Inter boss Mourinho.
“I am the only one who can get those two to agree on something – neither of them want me! I’d be happy even if Lippi called me at the last minute.
“I’d love to play for the Nazionale and have always been open to it. When Italy play, I suffer too as I watch and experience it all.
“I have never had the chance to talk to Lippi, but I have never had problems with him. His decisions are dictated by his own reasons and they must be respect. What else can I say?”
Yet this wild child persona is also what gives FantAntonio is incredible creativity and talent.
“I need to play as far up the field as possible. They need to give me the ball and then I’ll invent something, depending on what goes through my mind at that moment.”
Last season Genoa won both derbies for the first time in decades and finished in fifth place, humiliating their local rivals.
“Samp have lost a strong defender like [Hugo] Campagnaro, but we are targeting the top half of the table and hope to overcome tough times with hard work and a bit of luck.
“Last year we lost two derbies and gave someone weaker than us the opportunity to enjoy something after 10 years of failure…”
Today Inter President Massimo Moratti confirmed he has always admired Cassano, but never actually entered negotiations to sign him.
“I thank Moratti for his kind words, but I have always said I wanted to stay at Sampdoria. I’m happy here and do not feel pegged in by the club, I’m not interested in winning or even playing in the Champions League.
“All I care about is making the fans happy and proving in every game that I am a great player.” (forum)