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Cassano aiming to shed bad-boy image at Real
(China Daily)
Updated: 2006-01-06 06:56
MADRID: Italy striker Antonio Cassano said he was anxious to shed his bad-boy
image after completing his transfer from AS Roma to Real Madrid on Wednesday.
Cassana holds up
new shirt during presentation ceremony in Madrid.
[Reuters] | "Everyone has labelled me as a difficult character, but I want to show them
that I'm not like that," the 23-year-old told a news conference at the Bernabeu
following his 5.5 million euros (US$6.64 million) move to Spain.
"I'm here to change and improve as a person and a player."
Cassano, who was embroiled in a dispute with former club Roma over his
contract which was due to expire at the end of the season, recognised he had
made mistakes in the past.
"Who hasn't made mistakes? I certainly have and I've paid dearly for them,"
he said. "As for the reasons for why I left Roma, all I can say is that whenever
there is a divorce the fault lies with both sides and that is true in this
case."
Cassano is only the second Italian to sign for Real, following in the
footsteps of defender Christian Panucci who played for the club between 1997 and
1999.
The Italy international was presented with the number 19 shirt by Real's
vice-president Emilio Butragueno in the absence of honorary president Alfredo Di
Stefano who is recovering in hospital after a heart bypass operation.
Under pressure
Butragueno said the Italian was aware of the pressure he was under after
signing a 4-1/2-year deal with his new club.
"Cassano is an undeniably talented player, who despite his youth has played
at the top level in one of the most competitive leagues in the world for several
years," he said.
"He knows how to cope with the pressure and is aware that Real Madrid demands
the maximum of every player both on and off the pitch.
"He is the second Italian to wear the Real Madrid shirt
and knows that it is a big responsibility to represent his country while at this
club."
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