Cannavaro's confessions before the Italy-Spain: Ancelotti, Barça, Luis Enrique, Italy …

Fabio Cannavaro is back to stay. After the adventures in Guangzhou, Al-Nassr, Tianjin Quanjian and China, the former defender wants to continue his coaching career in the Old Continent. The ex-Madridista spoke with AS about his moment and tonight's great game, in which he does not see a clear favorite: “The Azzurra streak speaks clearly, but breaking it will be one more motivation for La Roja.”

Welcome back, Fabio.

It was time. It was not for economic reasons: the situation, with the anti-covid protocols, was untenable. I went too many months without seeing my family.

What did that adventure leave you?

I was there for several years in a strong club, playing the Champions League, and I organized my football ideas. My teams are offensive, they scored a lot of goals, but they also managed to have great defense. I'm very picky.

He said that one day he would like to coach Naples or Italy …

They are part of my history and I would love to, but my priority is to train in Europe: I don't close any doors.

Do you never think of going back to Madrid?

Well, sure (laughs). I am ambitious, I do not set limits. There I was very happy, I met an extraordinary team in a beautiful city. They waited for me for three months due to my physical problems, I came back and we won two leagues.

Pepe said that he once made him feel ashamed …

The thing is, you were talking to me and you called me “Cannavaro”. Once I said to him, very seriously, “hey, my name is Fabio”. Marcelo was by my side and he burst out laughing … They were all small, but you could tell they were predestined. I always compared Ramos with Maldini and in the end I was right. It made me sad to see that he left Madrid.

Now there is another friend of his, Ancelotti.

In his first Madrid he had to manage several champions. Now he has a strong team, but it is a much more complicated task.

For complicated, the moment of the Barça.

Without Messi, everything is more difficult. The coach will be essential. I have read about Pirlo, but I think they will call Xavi. You need someone who knows the values ​​of the club.

An Italy-Spain is always special. You missed the Euro 2008 tournament due to injury. The story would have changed anyway …

I do not know. Nobody, Maradona aside, wins alone. Spain was not aware of the strength it always had, that generation managed to take the step.

What is expected for the match?

The usual: Spain keeping the ball, Italy capable of scoring two goals on one occasion (laughs).

Was Mancini's masterpiece expected?

No. I know there are very good young people, I thought they would have grown over time, but Roberto didn't need to wait.

Do you like Luis Enrique?

He has his ideas and you have to respect him. His teams always propose an interesting football, you see his hand. They criticized him for not calling Ramos, but I think Sergio still has physical problems. Maybe he was right.

Finally: will Jorginho be your Italian heir to the Ballon d'Or?

By titles I would deserve them, but it will not be easy. When I won it, Messi and Cristiano weren't there.