Fabio Cannavaro (Real Madrid):Canna named Gay Icon!!

[Aladino]

Cannavaro is also injured, Real Madrid are going to evaluate the situation tomorrow I think. Hope he returns in time for France though after Wednesdays performance...

[BlackNess]

Cannavaro: We'll Win Our Tenth Champions League

Real Madrid stalwart defender Fabio Cannavaro insists that, this year, Real Madrid can lift the European Cup for the tenth time...
Cannavaro: We'll Win Our Tenth Champions League

What do you get for the player who has everything, one might ask? Cannavaro has won the Golden Ball, the World Cup, World Player of the Year, and many more over the course of his career.

He has his eye on one particular prize this season, though: the Champions League.

Real Madrid have won the European Cup on a record nine occasions, and Cannavaro is convinced that his side can do so again, giving him his first chance to lift the famous trophy.

When asked about a return to 'Cibeles' - the famous Madrid plaza where Real traditionally go to celebrate winning a trophy - he responded in the affirmative.

"I loved it, and of course I'd like to return," he said.

"I need the Champions League; I've been so lucky to win so much over the course of my career, but that's the one prize that I'm missing.

"And I believe this year that we're going to obtain the tenth [European Cup.]"

He explained that the new members of the squad - Drenthe, Sneijder, Pepe, Metzelder and more - are worthy of lifting European football's greatest prize.

"They've come here with a great deal of desire and quality," he said.

"Last year, we lacked a bit of tranquility, so we were too hasty in our play, and it wasn't always good.

"Now we have players who can help us fix that, and we must continue in that vein."

He added that he felt a new sense of calm and confidence amongst the support, too, which helped matters.

Madrid kick off their Champions League campaign against Werder Bremen on Tuesday, and Cannavaro - displaying more of that calm confidence - is sure that his side can begin with three points.

Cannavaro said, "The Germans are [not at their best], but they always prove a tough opponent.

"Nonetheless, I believe we can do it - we have a great squad, our players are enthusiastic and have quality, and we have our minds set on winning."

On the Liga front, Madrid have opened with two wins from two, including a 5-0 thrashing of Villarreal at the Madrigal a fortnight ago.

Looking ahead to tonight's clash with Almeria, Cannavaro insisted that a repeat may not be on the cards.

"It'll be a different game to the last one," he warned.

"We need to be very careful, as last season we tended to struggle against the smaller clubs. They came to the Bernabeu and attempted to be stronger than us.

"And today [Friday] is the first day that we've all trained together [due to international football], so we need to hit the ground running.

"Whether it's Almeria, Atletico [Madrid] or Barca, Madrid needs to play with the same level of commitment against all teams."

Cannavaro has just turned 34, and gratefully accepted birthday wishes from the interview.

"Thank you," he said. "I'm feeling very well this year. I began the pre-season enthusiastically, having had a rest this summer, and now I'm more motivated than last year: starting after a World Cup's always hard.

"Soon, I won the Golden Ball, FIFA World Player of the Year, and although these things are good, I'm a player who's always had to concentrate on the matches: if there are distractions outside, I don't do well.

"This year, I'm calmer, better, feeling more desire, and we've started with a winning season. So, I'm happy."

And he hopes to keep that winning going.

"The Liga, the Champions League... everything can be won by us," he stated.

Cannavaro joined Madrid from Juventus at the start of last season.

[D-Kin]

Canna admits Milan dream Friday 2 November, 2007

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Real Madrid defender Fabio Cannavaro is being linked with a sensational return to the peninsula after hinting at a move to Milan.

The World Cup winning captain has never fully settled in La Liga since his move from Juventus in the summer of 2006, despite making 40 appearances for the Merengues.

With Milan looking frail at the back, there has been regular speculation that the Rossoneri may look for reinforcements and Cannavaro may well be tempted.

“Carlo Ancelotti is an excellent Coach – he really is the best,” the ex-Parma man told journalists.

“I would form a great pair with Alessandro Nesta and I have the utmost respect for Kaka who I think deserves to be my successor for the Ballon d’Or.”

Real boss Bernd Schuster has indicated that Cannavaro is dispensable and there is a chance that there may be discussions over a January transfer.

The only obvious problem in turning to Canna is that the 34-year-old would be cup-tied for the Diavolo’s European campaign.

channel4.com - Football Italia

Nah, I can't see it happening.

[D-Kin]

Cannavaro won't quit Real Sunday 6 January, 2008

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fabio Cannavaro has dashed reports of a return to Italy in the near future. “I could end my career at Real Madrid.”

The World Cup winner moved to Spain in the wake of the Calciopoli scandal in the summer of 2006, but has not maintained the same form and there have been rumours of an imminent comeback to Serie A.

“I still have another year on my contract and will not rule out the possibility of ending my career here. It wouldn’t be that bad,” he told ‘Marca’ newspaper.

Despite Fabio Capello’s dismissal, Cannavaro has remained at the Bernabeu and become a key figure in Bernd Schuster’s back line.

“It was a very good 2007. I don’t know what will happen in the future, but my options are open.”

This still leaves the door open for a return to Juventus, a rumoured offer from Milan or joining his younger brother Paolo at hometown club Napoli.

channel4.com - Football Italia

[Robinho4Ever]

I'm happy he said so !! this season, after one season in LaLiga in which he learned the Spanish football, he finally he became really good, and I want to see him staying as long as possible.

He's the only Italian I respect

[D-Kin]

I still feel he'll end his career at Napoli.

[Pennywise]

Cannavaro had a hard start in his first season for Madrid and La Liga. He did much errors and was far, far away from his World Cup performance.

He were also 34 years old when the 2006/2007 season ended and many included me had 'given up' Canna when it comes to success in the spanish capital. Capello also leaved the club together with his former friend in Juve, Emerson and things looked bad.

Madrid also bought in one of the hottest defenders in Europe, Pepe. They also bought in Heinze and Metzelder as central defenders while Ramos should play back and Marcelo/Drenthe on the leftback positions.

For me the lineup were easy: Ramos - Pepe - Heinze - Drenthe while Metzelder Marcelo, Torres and Cannavaro should be backup.

But Cannavaro have fought back this season under Schuster. He has played good and stable and some of the matches we have seen, Canna have performed ala WC 2006. He has played with both Pepe, Metzelder, Ramos and Heinze as partners so far this season, and have done it great all times.

Madrid and Canna have been better defensively under Schuster, than Capello.

If he continue this form, I am convinced that he will stay out his contract who ends in 2009. He may then go back to Napoli and take a couple of years there.

But Cannavaro has one main goal left - to make history and win the Champions League with Real Madrid.

[dukeofdavinci]

Canna named Gay Icon Friday 7 March, 2008

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fabio Cannavaro has received yet another personal accolade after being named Gay Icon of 2008.

The World Cup winner and Azzurri captain was handed the award after an Italian television and marketing survey.

A panel of 500 chose the Real Madrid star ahead of fellow Italy teammates Massimo Ambrosini and Daniele De Rossi.

Cannavaro won 18 per cent of the vote while the Milan and Roma midfielders received a nine and eight per cent share respectively.

The announcement was made on the day that FIFA President Sepp Blatter gave an interview to The Times revealing the presence of a homosexual community in football.

“There are many gay players in this sport who don't say so openly because they fear that they will not be accepted by groups solely composed of men.”

OMG...is he really gay?????????????

[Jager]

Originally Posted by dukeofdavinci

OMG...is he really gay?????????????

He is NOT gay. He was just chosen by a panel composing of gay men that liked him more than other footballers.

The comment about gay men in football is probably true.