Cassano at Real Madrid, a story of shenanigans, arguments and an absurd fur coat

This is a story of arguments, misunderstandings, pranks, laughter and so on and so forth. Nothing new when we talk about Antonio Cassano. But let’s go in order and frame the context, first. It’s the winter of 2006, the World Cup in Germany is upon us and Cassano is at loggerheads with Roma. Since Spalletti’s arrival he has gone from vice captain to outcast: he doesn’t play and when he does he is booed by the Olimpico. He also argued with Totti and Montella and has the locker room against him. In short, the fracture is irremediable and the only path forward is that of transfer.

“Real Madrid? But damn…”

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We therefore need to find a solution. In this part of the story Ernesto Bronzetti comes into play, in the role of intermediary, but not just any intermediary. The idea is to bring Cassano to Real Madrid. The player’s agent, Beppe Bozzo, gets to work to negotiate with Roma and Bronzetti, in the meantime, calls Cassano, who responds… to Cassano. “Does Real Madrid want me? Ernesto, he’s going to shit…”. But it’s all true. And we need to have Florentino Perez call him directly to convince him that a negotiation really exists. Fantantonio obviously accepts and within a week he is already in Madrid. Real Madrid, after the injuries of Raul and Ronaldo, need a striker. Roma, for their part, wants to get rid of a heavy salary and a figure that has now become cumbersome in the locker room. Thus, the agreement is found in a few days on a basis of 5 million, with Cassano giving up part of the image rights and signing for four years. He is 23 years old, comes from a great European Championship and an excellent championship with Roma. The goal is, of course, to earn a ticket to Germany. “I want to go to the World Cup, he will say upon his arrival in Madrid”. Needless to say, he will never go there.

the presentation

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But before reaching the conclusions, it is necessary to mention a passage that gives an idea of ​​Cassano’s character and the antics mentioned above. The day of the presentation. At the airport the day before the striker was greeted by hundreds of fans going crazy with joy. A crowd of reporters and photographers at the airport, difficulty making way, people tumbling to the ground. A “Galactica” welcome. And the next day, at the Bernabeu, there are many more people. All for him. Emilio Butragueño, general manager and legend of the club, was there to pick him up at the airport, and given Cassano’s fur coat, he was keen to recommend himself. “Antonio, wear a suit tomorrow for the presentation”. “Of course, I have a pinstripe suit. Rest assured”. The next day, more or less at the same time, Cassano shows up wearing exactly the same absurd fur coat. More than a formal dress. And from there the Spanish press began to skewer him with the sharpest banderillas. He immediately became “El Gordito”, given that Ronaldo the Phenomenon was called “El Gordo”. They didn’t spare anyone, let alone an Italian who arrives in Madrid and presents himself as a clown. The performances then won’t help him. He starts off well, stings on his debut against Betis, then in the derby against Atletico on his first start. Coach Lopez Caro gives him few clips of matches, the newspapers speak badly of him. An imitator, Carlos Latre, on the Cuatro television channel paints him as a bulimic and quarrelsome fat man. His partner Rosaria also leaves in May, becoming Paperetta di Paperissima. The summer, however, brings 54 days of vacation and great news: Capello arrives at Real Madrid, whom Antonio considers a second father, but above all the only coach, after Eugenio Fascetti, capable of bringing out the best in the Bari native. The new season therefore begins full of good intentions and great hopes: Cassano starts, even finds himself back in the national team. It’s a flash in the pan. In mid-October the idyll with Capello is already over. This will be followed by arguments, imitations, discussions and more days away from the squad than on the pitch. A complete disaster, made up of lots of gossip and little sports news. Who knows, maybe from that fur you could already understand how it would end…