Fabio Cannavaro [Real Madrid]

[Jager]

Captain Courageous
There is no doubt that Fabio Cannavaro has led by example for Italy during Germany 2006. Antonio Labbate profiles the stopper who is hoping to celebrate his 100th cap by lifting the World Cup on Sunday



Azzurri captain Fabio Cannavaro knows all about World Cup disappointment. In fact, he got an early taste even before he was part of the Italian squad at both the 1998 and 2002 World Cup Finals. Aged just 16, the then Napoli youth team product was a ball-boy on that infamous July 3 night at the Stadio San Paolo in 1990 when Argentina defeated Italy on penalties.

Tears flowed through the streets of the peninsula that summer after a reverse which many Italian players from that era, and fans alike, have still not come to terms with. Yet the nation has a chance to rejoice at the weekend with arguably the most popular Nazionale since that Italia ’90 version and Cannavaro is going to have a key role to play.

There can be no denying that Cannavaro has probably not only been Italy’s best player at the tournament, he’s arguably been the competition’s best player. The foreign media have been raving about him with envy for the last three weeks, while the Italian Press are simply underlining what many of us in the peninsula have already known for years. His only mistake to date was not marking teammate Cristian Zaccardo, who shinned past his own team for America, which remains the lone goal Italy have conceded so far.

Yet Cannavaro has almost had to rebuild his reputation in the space of a month after touching down in Germany under a cloud of controversy. Despite his undoubted class – underlined with his performances at Juventus over the last two campaigns – and being Italy’s most capped player in the squad, there were calls for him to be stripped of the captaincy. His crime? To not join the media campaign in condemning Luciano Moggi, the man responsible for his move from Inter to Turin, after the Calciopoli revelations hit the news stands.

But there was no way that Cannavaro, who has also subsequently had to deal with the Gianluca Pessotto shock, was going to have the armband removed. With the determination and coolness with which he defends on the pitch, the former Parma stopper refused to step down and focused on proving that if Italy were to lift the trophy in Germany, then he deserved to be the first Italian to do so since 1982.

The 32-year-old has been a constant source of assurance throughout the tournament, despite being partnered in defence by a multitude of stoppers in the form of Alessandro Nesta, Marco Materazzi and Andrea Barzagli. While some partnerships may have suffered from a possible lack of understanding, Cannavaro's just got on with it in his own commanding way.

He’s also done it with a smile on his face. After Barzagli stepped on to the pitch against Australia following the wrongful dismissal of Materazzi, Cannavaro looked at his younger colleague, smirked and said: “Andrea, let’s have some fun now.” The Palermo central defender, one of the least experienced in the squad, did Fabio proud with an accomplished display in high pressure circumstances.

There was even a broad grin at the start of the extra time period against Germany when Michael Ballack and himself tossed the coin ahead of the restart. While the Chelsea man’s face personified the magnitude of what was at stake, Cannavaro’s cheeky grin seemed to say it all – Italy would end the night victorious. As a result, Cannavaro will lead his side out in Berlin where he will become only the third Italian to win 100 caps after Dino Zoff – who celebrated his century in the 1982 Finals – and Paolo Maldini.

And he certainly has a score to settle with France after two defeats which have left their mark on the pint-sized stopper. He was in Cesare Maldini’s side who were knocked out of France ’98 on penalties to Les Bleus, while their Alpine cousins destroyed Azzurri dreams at Euro 2000 when they equalised at the death before snatching a Golden Goal through David Trezeguet.

Given his age, Sunday will almost definitely be his last chance at World Cup glory. But win or lose, Cannavaro has already joined the long list of great Italian defenders – from Franco Baresi to Gaetano Scirea, Claudio Gentile to Beppe Bergomi – to write their names in football legend. Cannavaro is simply living proof that when it comes to defending, Italians do it better.

Forza Capitano!http://www.channel4.com/sport/footba...incourage.html

[dukeofdavinci]

LEADER AMONG LEADERS!!THE LION OF AZZURRI!!!...FORZA CANNA!! FORZA AZZURRI!!!

[Bodia]

The best.

[Jager]

Canna plans Napoli move
Thursday 5 October, 2006
Fabio Cannavaro is hoping to end his career with Napoli after his contract ends at Real Madrid, according to his brother Paolo.

“Fabio would like to return to his hometown to end his footballing career,” said the younger Cannavaro to Sky Italia.

“It won’t be easy, as he has a three-year contract with Real Madrid and he is already 33-years-old, but we all hope that this dream will come true,” added the Napoli defender.

The world champion’s brother is confident that his side will return to Serie A, although he was hoping for a better start to the Serie B season.

“We have all the qualities needed to achieve promotion to the top flight, despite the initial problems. This team can fight for the First Division, I am sure of that,” explained the defender.

“It won’t be an easy task seeing as there are many strong sides competing with us.

“I hope our supporters will have the patience to wait for the players who showed their value during the summer – they will make the difference,” ended Cannavaro.

http://www.channel4.com/sport/footba...lia/oct5j.html

[D-Kin]

I don't think it's any secret that he'll return to Napoli.

From what he's said the plan is to see out his three year contract with Madrid then end his career with two year at Napoli alongside his brother.

It'll be good to see him back in Serie A anyway.

[D-Kin]

No Cannavaro for tonight's game at home to Bilbao.

http://www.eurosport.com/football/la...tc150270.shtml

[D-Kin]

Cannavaro was once again missing for tonight's 2-2 draw with Dynamo Kiev.

http://home.skysports.com/matchrepor...PID=5&channel=

[Jager]

Missing??? What do you mean?

[D-Kin]

I think he might be injured, he didn't play at the weekend either.

[D-Kin]

Van Nistelrooy injured Cannavaro in training today. He went into a tackle hard and sprained Fabio's ankle, he's likely to miss the weekend game now.

http://www.eurosport.com/football/la...o1026996.shtml

[D-Kin]

Cannavaro was booked in stoppage time as Real Madrid lost 2-1 away to Sevilla.

http://home.skysports.com/matchrepor...312986&cpid=23

[D-Kin]

Real Madrid are currently beating Espanyol 1-0 but Cannavaro has been sent off for a second booking.

http://www.eurosport.com/football/la...tc150311.shtml

[Oliver_Kahn]

FT Espanyol 0 - 1 Real Madrid

[D-Kin]

That's a good win considering they played nearly the entire second half without Cannavaro.

[Nani17]

Canna - world player of the year according Cadena SER the spanish radio station.

Zizou 2nd place and Ronaldinho 3rd.