Madrid has always been a city where football arguments outlive the players themselves, and Antonio Cassano has added another emphatic voice to one of the game’s most enduring comparisons. Looking back on his brief spell among Real Madrid’s Galácticos, the former Italy forward placed Ronaldo Nazário well above Cristiano Ronaldo, describing the Brazilian as a striker without a true equivalent.
Cassano, now 44, arrived at Real Madrid from Roma in January 2006 and shared a dressing room with Ronaldo during the latter years of the Brazilian’s time at the Bernabéu. Cristiano Ronaldo did not join the Spanish club until 2009, but Cassano’s judgement was unequivocal: “Cristiano is only a fraction of what Ronie, the Phenomenon, was.”
For the Italian, Ronaldo Nazário remains football’s definitive Ronaldo, principally because of his capacity to settle matches on his own. Cassano believes the Brazilian’s repeated physical problems denied him an even greater place in the game, arguing that injuries interrupted a career that might otherwise have reached still higher ground.
His Madrid memories span a celebrated group of players. Cassano named Ronaldo, Zinedine Zidane and Guti as the three finest footballers with whom he played. Across 2006 and 2007, he made 29 competitive appearances for Real Madrid and collected a Spanish league title before departing.
A missed opportunity in Madrid
The recollection was not solely an exercise in praise for former teammates. Cassano also spoke candidly about his own failings during his time in Spain, accepting that he did not make the most of a rare opening at one of Europe’s grandest clubs.
He said he lacked discipline, choosing food and nights out over proper preparation, and admitted that his weight rose to 10 kilograms above his ideal level. “It was entirely my fault,” he said, adding jokingly that his conduct at the time was so poor that he deserved to be jailed.
Cassano also expressed regret over his relationship with Fabio Capello, the coach he worked under at both Roma and Real Madrid, saying he did not show the Italian manager the respect he should have. In his view, immaturity was the main reason he could not establish himself for longer in the Spanish capital. With the outlook he has now, he believes he could have remained at Real Madrid for a decade.
Cassano’s view on Madrid’s bench
The former forward did not limit his assessment to the Galácticos era. He also criticised José Mourinho, Real Madrid’s current coach, questioning the club’s decision to appoint the Portuguese and arguing that his style of football has become outdated.
Cassano contrasted Mourinho with Roma coach Gian Piero Gasperini, whom he regards as doing the stronger job. He went so far as to suggest that, if the two managers exchanged clubs, Real Madrid would defeat Roma by 10 goals to nil. His conclusion on Mourinho was blunt: the coach, Cassano said, prefers talking to playing football.
