Antonio Cassano says he is looking to end his career at Parma and that whilst he has yet to talk over a return to Italy, he is open to it.
Antonio Cassano says he is looking to end his career at Parma and that whilst he has yet to talk over a return to Italy, he is open to it.
The playmaker’s form for the Ducali this term has led to the suggestion that Cesare Prandelli will be considering calling him up in time for the World Cup in Brazil, in what would be a return to the international team after two years away.
“Nobody has called me yet, but I hope so,” Cassano has now conceded on the matter on Tiki Taka this week.
“Why has it been a year-and-a-half since my last call? I have an idea.
“In the next four, five, six months, I want to go to the World Cup because to end my career without a World Cup would be a disappointment, but my dreams are more real – another child, the family, and other things.”
The 31-year-old considered life at the moment at Parma.
“We are a group in which everyone is pulling in the same direction. I find it outrageous that our Coach does not train a top team in Italy or abroad.
“And we have a great President, Ghirardi, putting in the work, and an incredible director, Leonardi, who with two euros would be able to buy the White House.
“Links to Napoli? It would be an ideal place for a crazy head like mine. I wonder what could happen if things went well, but now I am super happy at Parma and will probably end my career here. But, you never know…”
Cassano was asked of Mario Balotelli’s struggles with Milan at the moment – the duo faced off at the weekend with Cassano’s Parma winning 4-2 amid the Rossoneri’s crisis.
“I found him very well, quiet and serene. Against Parma he also caught the whistles, but he behaved like a professional.
“Mario must take it as it is. If he found a Coach like I have then he would do great things. Someone who can make him see his errors but that understands – carrot and stick.”
On from praising Roberto Donadoni, Cassano also admitted his respect for Juventus boss Antonio Conte.
“He is a phenomenon. Sometimes it is said that Coaches do not count, but that is not the case. The successes at Juve count 80 per cent on him, and the progress too.
“The exit from Inter? I liked Mazzarri. It is his fault I left Inter, I had to leave because of him. I have heard that he would like to be a Ferguson – I know the evils that he suffers, but it is best to leave it alone…
“The time at Milan? I said and I repeat – Inter from birth until death, and I will remain so. I never attacked the Rossoneri fans, but someone who is at the club.
“The Rossoneri fans were close to me, especially in difficult times. The teasing is there because I went to Inter, but there is no problem with them.”