Fabio Cannavaro



D.O.B: 13/09/73 in Napoli
Position: Central defender
Squad number: -
Nationality: Italian
Height: 1.76m (5'9")
Weight: 75kg
Nickname(s): Canna

Serie A debut - Juventus 4-3 Napoli 07/03.93

International debut 04/03 vs Mexico

1992-93 Napoli A 2 -
1993-94 Napoli A 27 -
1994-95 Napoli A 29 1
1995-96 Parma A 29 1
1996-97 Parma A 27 -
1997-98 Parma A 31 -
1998-99 Parma A 30 1
1999-00 Parma A 31 2
2000-01 Parma A 33 -
2001-02 Parma A 31 -
2002-03 Internazionale A 28 -
2003-04 Internazionale A 22 2
2004-05 Juventus A 38 2
2005-06 Juventus A 36 4
2006-07 Real Madrid A 32 -
2007-08 Real Madrid A 33 -
2008-09 Real Madrid A 29 -
2009-10 Juventus A 27 -

Honours

2 Scudetto (2004-05, 2005-06)
2 Coppa Italia (1999, 2002)
1 SuperCoppa Italiana (1999)
1 UEFA Cup (1999)
2 La Liga (2006-07, 2007-08)
1 Supercopa de España (2008)
2 UEFA U21 Championship (1994, 1996)
1 World Cup (2006)
Euro 2000 Team of the Tournament
FIFA World Player of the Year (2006)
Ballon D'Or (2006)
FIFA World Cup 2006 Silver Ball
FIFA World Cup 2006 Team of the Tournament
Serie A Footballer of the Year (2006)
Italian Footballer of the Year (2006)
Serie A Defender of the Year (2005, 2006)
UEFA Team of the Year (2006)
FIFPro World XI (2006, 2007)


Fabio Cannavaro, Cavaliere Ufficiale OMRI is an Italian World Cup-winning footballer who currently plays for Serie A club Juventus. He won the FIFA World Player of the Year award in 2006, making him the first and so far only defender to win the award, as well as the oldest recipient.

Biography

Cannavaro was born in Naples to Gelsomina and Pasquale Cannavaro. His mother worked as a maid, while his father was a bank clerk; his father also played football for provincial side Giugliano. As a youngster Cannavaro played for a team from Bagnoli before being quickly spotted by the scouts of Napoli, his childhood team. He is well known for his fierce defending and interception. During his career Cannavaro has earned world wide prominence, winning many personal accolades. For example he was the first ever defender to win FIFA World Player of the Year. He was also selected in the FIFPro World XI squad twice, during 2005–06 and 2006–07.

Club career

Cannavaro initially served as the club's ballboy, and his progress as a player was such that he became a member of the first team alongside some of his childhood idols. Cannavaro's debut in Serie A came on 7 March 1993 in Turin for a game against Juventus. The post-Maradona Napoli were in desperate need of funds and were soon forced to sell Cannavaro to Parma, where Cannavaro won the UEFA Cup and Coppa Italia, and was named the Serie A Defender of the Year.

In the summer of 2001, Cannavaro joined Internazionale for a fee of €23 million. During his spell with the club he reached the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League 2002-03 and also finished runners up in Serie A. His second season was not as productive and he missed a large chunk of it through injury.

After a two-year stint, he signed for Juventus on summer transfer window deadline day. The deal also involved the exchange of Fabian Carini who left for Inter and an additional €10 million. By coming to Turin, he re-joined his ex-Parma teammates Lilian Thuram and Gianluigi Buffon, and together the threesome formed one of the most feared defences in the Serie A. They went on won two consecutive Scudetti in 2005 and 2006, though both were later revoked due to the Calciopoli scandal. Juventus captain Cannavaro won l'Oscar del Calcio: Migliore difensore, the Football Oscar, for his exceptional debut season at the Turin giants.

After the 2006 World Cup, the Calciopoli trial verdicts relegated Juventus to Serie B and stripped the club of its 2004-05 and 2005-06 Scudetti. Since Juventus was ineligible to qualify for the UEFA Champions League, Cannavaro decided to leave. "Even if I know this may be hard to believe, I would have stayed at Juventus had they remained in Serie A – even with a 30-point deduction.". He followed coach Fabio Capello to Real Madrid and inherited the number 5 shirt of the legendary Zinedine Zidane. Although no fee was confirmed by either club, press speculation has often set the combined transfer's worth at roughly €20 million. On 25 July, he officially signed a three-year contract. Cannavaro spent three seasons at Madrid, winning the La Liga title in 2006-07 and 2007-08, and was named the 2006 FIFA World Player of the Year during his time there. On 19 May 2009, it was confirmed that Cannavaro would return to Juventus for the 2009-10 season on the expiration of his contact with Real Madrid.

International career

Cannavaro's first taste of international success came over a decade ago under coach Cesare Maldini with Italy's U-21 side, winning consecutive European Under-21 Football Championship titles in 1994 and 1996. In 1996, he participated in the Summer Olympics in Atlanta. He played for his country in the 1998, 2002, and 2006 World Cups, as well as Euro 2000 and Euro 2004. Cannavaro made his international debut in January 1997 against Northern Ireland and has since earned 126 caps.

Cannavaro's first international tournament came at 1998 FIFA World Cup under the mentorship of veteran defender Paolo Maldini, and the squad was coached by Maldini's father Cesare. Italy went out in the quarter-finals to hosts and eventual champions France; Cannavaro suffered a cut on his forehead from an elbow by Stéphane Guivarc'h during the match. The match was decided by a penalty shoot-out after the teams were tied 0-0.

In Euro 2000, it was Les Bleus who once again shattered Italy's dreams. Cannavaro had a strong tournament, playing as right-back, and the Azzurri reached the final, where they led the then world champions 1-0 going into injury time. Near the end of regular time, Sylvain Wiltord found the equalizer, and an extra-time golden goal from David Trezeguet gave France the title.

At the 2002 FIFA World Cup he was credited with holding the defence together, almost single-handedly after Alessandro Nesta was injured against Croatia. Italy however went out in the second round, losing to co-hosts and eventual semi-finalists South Korea, again to a golden goal.

Cannavaro had a hard act to follow when he took over as captain from Maldini after the 2002 World Cup, but he quickly won the team over with his constant smile, laid-back Neapolitan approach and inspiring performances. After Maldini's international retirement he first captained Italy in a match at Napoli and received a standing ovation on the pitch where he sported the local side's colours between 1991 and 1995.

Cannavaro's first international goal was scored on 30 May 2004 against Tunisia, Italy won 4-0. Euro 2004, which was hosted by Portugal, turned out to be a disappointment. Cannavaro picked up yellow cards during the two draws with Denmark (0-0) and Sweden (1-1), forcing him to sit out the final group game. Italy defeated Bulgaria 2-1, but failed to advance on goal difference.

2006 World Cup

Cannavaro captained Italy throughout their 2006 World Cup campaign. One of his key performances came against Germany in the World Cup Semi-Finals 2006. His crowning moment was lifting the World Cup on 9 July 2006, the night of his 100th cap. Cannavaro did not receive a single yellow or red card during the 690 minutes he played in the tournament.

Along with Buffon, Cannavaro played every minute of every match in the tournament for Italy. The Italian defence conceded only two goals throughout the entire tournament, an own-goal against the United States and a Zidane penalty in the final against France.

With the injury of defensive partner Alessandro Nesta Cannavaro somehow managed to hold the defense together, earning him a spot on the All-Star Team at the end of the competition - awarded by FIFA's Technical Study Group - alongside six other Italian teammates, Gianluigi Buffon, Gennaro Gattuso, Andrea Pirlo, Luca Toni, Francesco Totti, and Gianluca Zambrotta. He was runner-up in the race for the Golden Ball, finishing behind French counterpart Zinedine Zidane; it was a close contest with Zidane polling 2012 points to Cannavaro's 1977.

Euro 2008

On 2 June 2008, Cannavaro was injured during Italy's first training session for Euro 2008. Cannavaro sustained the knock following a tackle by fellow defender Giorgio Chiellini and was carried off the field on a stretcher. Italy doctor Paolo Zeppilli said: "We have to do tests but it does not look like a minor injury." Tests had shown that he tore ligaments in his left ankle. Right after the examinations, Italian journalists awaited Cannavaro, who told them: "I'm going home," with a melancholic smile on his face. After the day was over, Roberto Donadoni called up Fiorentina centre-back Alessandro Gamberini as his official replacement. Goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon captained the team in his place. Cannavaro added he will stay with the squad to offer support. This would have been Cannavaro's third Euro tournament.

Cannavaro has also put his plans to retire from the national team after Euro 2008 on hold and added that it has made him more determined to captain Italy through the 2010 World Cup.

Record Breaking Caps

In a 2009 Confederations Cup match against Brazil, Fabio Cannavaro equalled Paolo Maldini's record of being Italy's most capped player.

Juve fans battle over Cannavaro



There is a battle brewing between Juventus fans and those ultras protesting against Fabio Cannavaro and Jonathan Zebina.

The role of the ultra’ in Italian football has always been a tricky one and there is set to be a deep split within the fanbase, which is already evident in pre-season training.

Cannavaro’s return from Real Madrid three years after he walked away in the midst of the Calciopoli scandal is the focus of the trouble.

The World Cup winner and the other Confederations Cup players do not begin training in Pinzolo until Thursday, but ultras already chanted slogans against him during this week’s sessions.

‘Madrid dumped you, Napoli repudiated you, only your avarice brought you back to us,’ read one banner, while others declared Canna ‘a traitor.’

Zebina was also targeted for abuse, but he was never a particularly popular figure among the Bianconeri fans.

Unusually, the majority of supporters turned on these hardliners with their own chants and jeers, but the situation is set to escalate when Cannavaro actually joins the squad.

The ultras have already been using fireworks and smoke bombs during the training sessions to make their protests clear.

According to Turin-based newspaper Tuttosport, the deep split between the sets of Juventus supporters could blow up next week with Cannavaro’s arrival.

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/jul12k.html

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I have noti ed this for some time that there is a clash of opinions, normal Juve fans are generally willing to give Cannavaro another chance and rightly support any player who pulls on the jersey, the ultras in their typical taking themselves too seriously line think it is a personal sleight and are going to actively jeer Cannavaro and Zebina who made the mistake of making a 'shush' sign too them.

I honestly don't see what good booing these players does for the team, the ultras need to get real.

that is a bit ott, but on the other hand he didnt show any loyalty when the club were struggling. cannavaros not getting any younger is this a short term deal

Canna should just retire,he was never the same since the world cup

I think this could strongly affect Cannavaro's performance, he might get intimidated.

Juve fans hurl abuse at Canna

Fabio Cannavaro was subjected to more protests, including chants and smoke bombs, during Juventus’ training session.

A section of the supporters are furious that he has returned three years after walking out in the midst of the Calciopoli scandal to join Real Madrid.

Around 100 ultras were at the Pinzolo training ground today and hurled insults at the World Cup winner.

There were also banners and smoke bombs thrown as part of the protest, including an ominous warning: ‘100 at Pinzolo, 10,000 at the stadium.’

This suggests there will be far greater shows of dissatisfaction when the Bianconeri play their first official pre-season friendlies.

The other fans in the stands of the training complex cheered Cannavaro and tried to silence the protestors, as a split is beginning to form among the Juventus crowd.

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It didn't seem to really affect him at all, he seemed relaxed and smiling.

These are the same 'fans' who:

- They told Cobolli Gigli to shut up and that they want Lapo.
- They had banners "Odio Zebina" (to which Jonathan replied with the finger)
- They told Poulsen he had to leave the club
- They insulted Cannavaro
- They chanted racist songs v Balotelli

Great fans. Of course they have to be seen as extreme because that is what an ultra is, and they have to try and sway decisions at the club.

No matter how good Cannavaro does the Ultras will forever boo him. That is just who they are. Me as a fan I am excited to see him back as I dont consider him a trader.

Hopefully for the image of our club whenever the ultras start to boo him our real fans will make even more noise praising him.

WELCOME HOME FABIO

It's a good prudent signing. Juve get a good defender who knows the club and the division, and they can spend their cash on Felipe Melo and Diego instead, makes sense.

He got a good cheer at Pinzolo, fans who are not ultras or fake ultras who wrongly think that they are the ultimate Juve fans and want to be like them know that you do not boo your players.

Canna admitted he is not the same player as 2006, but then we don't expect him to be. I expect him to be in the top 6 defenders in the league, not the best player in the world.

Cannavaro enjoys caps record



Fabio Cannavaro celebrates setting Italy’s new all-time caps record. “It is always an honour every single time to wear this jersey.”

His Azzurri career began on January 22 1997 and last night’s 0-0 draw with Switzerland was written into the history books with his 127th cap – one more than Paolo Maldini.

“This is naturally a great honour for me to overtake a legend like Maldini. Now the games in my record are really quite a lot.

“To wear the Azzurri jersey is the dream of every child, especially now it has four stars on it,” said the captain, referring to the number of World Cups won.

“I never thought of setting records, as at the end of the day they are set to be broken. The truth is it is always an honour every single time to wear this jersey and represent Italy.

“Let us not forget these 127 caps included a victorious World Cup Final, that’s what really matters.”

Italy have stuttered since that triumph in Berlin, especially in the Confederations Cup last month, and Cannavaro has a feeling he knows why.

“We know that in our careers we have done so much, but perhaps we felt that World Cup title too much and underestimated a few opponents.

“The crucial thing tonight was to rediscover our motivation and team spirit. We proved the Conf Cup was just a blip and we will see a different Italy in the next few games.”

Marcello Lippi changed his tactics to the ‘safer’ 4-4-2 for the goalless friendly in Basel.

“We can cover the spaces better, Giuseppe [Rossi] is a trequartista who plays between the lines, so we are under less pressure. When not 100 per cent fit, the 4-4-2 is the system that protects you more.”

Cannavaro remains hopeful for the future of this Italy squad, even though he’ll retire after the 2010 World Cup.

“First of all we have to qualify. In all honesty, I don’t see teams around who can beat us if we are 100 per cent fit, so we have every chance of winning the trophy again.

“We cannot wait for the young players, as there is only a year to the World Cup. If they are here, then it’s because they have already accumulated experience, for example [Claudio] Marchisio has played in the Champions League.”

http://www.football-italia.net/aug13a.html

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Well done Canna, nice to get a clean sheet too

Cannavaro calls ultra' truce

Fabio Cannavaro says he has “made peace” with angry Juventus supporters over a pizza in a bid to stop protests disrupting their Serie A opener with Chievo.

The veteran had been subjected to insults and protests from the moment the club tried to sign him as an out of contract player from Real Madrid.

He had not been ‘forgiven’ for walking out during the Calciopoli scandal of 2006, which saw Juve demoted to Serie B, and this fringe of ultras called him a ‘traitor.’

“We talked it over and cleared the air. We made peace, the important thing is the good of the team,” Cannavaro told Sky Italia television.

It is reported in Turin-based newspaper Tuttosport that the truce was called after Canna invited ultra leaders to a pizza restaurant in the city.

They were able to talk over their issues and agree to hold off on protests during Sunday’s opening Serie A game against Chievo.

You can watch Juventus-Chievo LIVE via our website

http://www.football-italia.net/aug21f.html

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Top man, not that he should have to do anything but these apes consider themselves as important.

Cannavaro shows Ciro respect

Fabio Cannavaro reveals how his relationship with good friend Ciro Ferrara has changed since becoming a Coach and calls Fabio Grosso to Juventus.

“The first time I started calling him ‘Coach’ he was stunned,” revealed the defender in the Gazzetta dello Sport.

“But it is the right thing to do. I’m friends with Ciro and we even run a charity foundation in Naples together, but now he is my Coach and he has to make his tactical choices.”

The pair are not only long-standing Bianconeri figures, but also both hail from the poorer areas of Naples.

“I am proud to be Neapolitan. We have something more, it is a city with a unique aura and way of living, even if people can joke about it. There are insults from the stands, but that’s just trash talk, it’s not racism.”

With peers Ferrara and Leonardo becoming Serie A tacticians and Canna turning 36 next month, will he have a future on the bench too?

“I don’t know, but for the last couple of years I have been taking notes about the training sessions. Football is my world.”

His return to Juve was marred by protests from some of the ultras who did not forgive him walking out during the Calciopoli scandal of 2006.

“I was nervous at my debut against Chievo. Now I have cleared the air with the fans and told them the reasons behind that transfer, so I can go forward and the only thing I can do now is to play well.

“The spirit and hunger for success are the same as in 2006, because these have always been the key strengths of this club.

“The team I joined the first time was already in place and had won trophies, whereas now we have a Coach and many young players who are starting out.”

Diego and Felipe Melo have reinforced the Bianconeri, but another player is on his way, as Grosso is expected to complete the transfer from Lyon tomorrow.

“I hope he will come,” added his Italy teammate Cannavaro. “I don’t see many other world class left-backs available.

“Fabio remains one of the best and with more experience he can bring that something extra to the side, even if we have two promising youngsters like Christian Molinaro and Paolo De Ceglie.”

Juve are top of the table and could extend that lead over Inter after Saturday’s Derby della Madonnina.

“I expect a surprise, as the teams haven’t quite gelled yet. Inter have a stronger squad, but the best doesn’t always win in a derby.”

http://www.football-italia.net/aug26h.html

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It must be weird for Canna playing under Ferrara, but he is a professional of the highest order. He was superb against Chievo and silenced a lot of people in an otherwise quite shaky defensive effort.

15 days out for Cannavaro, with a thigh muscle strain

Really big miss, he has been superb in every single match for us and made an assist for Iaquinta against Bordeaux that Diego would have been proud of.

Cannavaro fails drugs test

Fabio Cannavaro failed a drugs test after taking emergency medicine, but a paperwork error means he risks suspension.

The Italy captain was stung by a wasp during a training session and was given a cortisone-based treatment, which usually would be considered acceptable.

However, the medical staff failed to provide a piece of the paperwork confirming this course of action and so an inquiry has been opened.

As the request for permission had not been completed, the Juventus defender was tested and found positive for cortisone.

Cannavaro will be interrogated by the CONI (Italian Olympic Committee) over the next few days.

It is most likely a matter of red tape and should be cleared up relatively quickly.

The 2006 World Cup and Ballon d’Or winner is suspended for Saturday’s Republic of Ireland match anyway, but this situation could in theory rule him out of next Wednesday’s encounter with Cyprus too.

Football Italia

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Seems to be all negative news coming out of Juventus right now.

Surely nothing will come of this? If the reason why he took the medicine is true...

like Carl Lewis, the substance is in an over the counter medicine.

You have to declare this in the paperwork, when in Doping control, looks like he failed to do that.

a fairly easy mistake to make.

As a sportsman, you need to be aware of everything that is going into your body, inc over the counter medicines

The medical team made the error (seems to be a lot of errors concerning our medical staff looking at our injury record), should be nothing more than a case of correcting the route back to the club.

If he is telling the truth, which Im sure he is, everything should turn out fine. The Medical team really screwed this one up however. Look at all the bad press Italy, Juventus and Cannavaro will now in general.

Its funny reading some of the comments on other sites. I all ready came across at lease 5 of them saying Italy should be stripped of the 2006 World Cup F*cken Idiots.

I've seen Italy get decisions in U17 matches from referees from Venezuela and Senegal and people popping up on forums saying how Italian football is corrupt, you can't really avoid moronic stupidity, some people are just bitterly jealous of Italy and the football but there you go. Surprised to see this as the third hit on the BBC Sports site, it seems any negative press regarding Italian football is major, major news in the UK. It just adds a little bit to the tainted image each time I guess, they keep chipping away.

It's an admin mistake in reality, should be sorted today. I'll repeat myself from the past though, with the amount of doping tests taken in Italy compared to somewhere like England it will throw up these kind of things, you will find more guilty and you will also have more errors along these lines.

Canna: 'I acted professionally'



Fabio Cannavaro is “pleased” his doping inquiry has been closed, but feels it should never have hit the headlines in the first place.

The Italy captain required a cortisone injection to prevent complications from a wasp sting at the end of August, but the paperwork confirming this medical emergency was not filled out properly.

As a result, Cannavaro was given another drugs test and of course came out positive, but now the CONI anti-doping office have officially recommended the matter be taken no further with regards to the player.

Juventus are still under investigation for the paperwork error and could be fined.

“I am pleased the authorities clarified my position, recognising my good faith and professional behaviour,” said Cannavaro.

“I had no doubts this would happen and I am only disappointed that such a silly matter created so much controversy.”

It does not affect his presence in the World Cup qualifiers, as he was suspended for tonight’s trip to Ireland anyway.

http://www.football-italia.net/oct10m.html

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Shame something has been made out of nothing.

Canna laments doping farce



Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro has spoken of the bitterness he felt last week when it was revealed he failed a routine drugs test.

The 36-year-old had taken the banned substance cortisone as an anti-allergen after being stung by a wasp at Juventus' training ground in Vinovo.

Juventus reported the incident as an emergency measure to Italy's medical staff but not to CONI, the Italian Olympic Committee.

The case has since been officially closed and Cannavaro exonerated, although Juventus could yet be fined for failing to alert the proper authorities.

“They really broke my b****. And if you haven't understood that well enough, I repeat, they really broke my…” Cannavaro explained in his first statement after the incident.

“I have my conscience in place. You get stung by a wasp and then find yourself in the newspapers as if you've been doping.

“When it happened it seemed to me as if it were a dream. Some newspapers and TV programmes exaggerated. It's the second time that I find myself freely in the newspapers connected with stories of this nature.”

Cannavaro is referring to footage that came to light in 2005, showing him on a drip before Parma's UEFA Cup Final against Marseille in 1999.

The substance was revealed to be Neoton, a drug and creatine phosphate, that isn't on the banned substances list.

“That time, I was stupid to allow myself to be filmed, even if the substance still isn't banned now. This time there was stupidity on Juventus' behalf, but it all seemed exaggerated to me.

“I hope that this doubt doesn't follow me beyond today. My career has been exemplary and in accordance with the rules,” Cannavaro concluded.

http://www.football-italia.net/oct12p.html

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Well we've all seen what the Italian press can kick up once they get hold of something, makes me wonder if they ever stop to think how it makes the league look to the rest of the world when they go to town with stories like this, just as they did with the Cannavaro 'doping' at Parma and Buffon bets to coincide with Calciopoli.

Juventus medics face ban

The Juventus doctors at the heart of the Fabio Cannavaro bee sting scandal face three-month suspensions, according to Tuttosport.

Cannavaro was found to have failed a routine doping test after Juventus' match with Roma on August 30.

The news broke at the beginning of October, but it later emerged the Italy captain had taken cortisone to treat a bee sting suffered during training at Vinovo.

Juventus' medical staff alerted their counterparts at the Italian national team. However, they failed to provide the Italian Olympic Committee [CONI] with the necessary documentation.

Tuttosport understands CONI has since requested a ban for Juventus medics Bartolomeo Goitre and Luca Stefanini.

They allegedly broke article 3.3 of the penal code “for non-cooperation of any person whether or not affiliated in compliance with the sports anti-doping rules.”

http://www.football-italia.net/nov26j.html

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We should replace our entire medical staff, they are clearly not doing their job even without this incident.

The two doctors who mishandled this, Bartolomeo Goitre and Luca Stefanini, have been given two month bans as punishments.

The club, unsurprisingly, didn't take up the second year option on his contract, so he leaves us in June.

Best of luck in the future Canna, and of course, this summer

He has retired, aged 37.











Grazie per tutto Fabio!

One of the best.

Arrivederci, Campione.

One of my all time favourite Italian players, had an amazing career

Cannavaro: 'Chiellini is my heir'

Fabio Cannavaro explains why he retired, what he’ll do in future and states “Giorgio Chiellini is my heir.”

The 37-year-old defender still had a year left to run on his contract with Al-Ahli, but has hung up his boots and will stay on in Dubai as a director.

“I made the decision to stop playing due to physical problems,” he told Sky Sport Italia.

“I was on holiday with my family in America and, when trying to run, I realised the pain in my left knee would not stop. It’s probably the right time for me to stop now, anyway.”

Cannavaro looked back over a long career, particularly 2006, when he captained Italy to the World Cup, won the Ballon d’Or and FIFA World Player of the Year award.

“The most wonderful and important day of my career, even my life, was without doubt that victory in Berlin,” he said of the World Cup Final win on penalties against France.

“That was a fantastic squad, full of great men and splendid players. Lifting the World Cup to the sky was an incredible emotion.

“The biggest regret was certainly the defeat to France in the Euro 2000 Final. Perhaps we lacked something in terms of character at that time, but it served us well six years later.

“I have known many wonderful people in football and made strong friendships with Alessandro Del Piero, Ciro Ferrara, Gigi Buffon and Lilian Thuram.

“Then there’s Marcello Lippi: he gave me so much in my career and together we achieved something exceptional.”

Cannavaro had no hesitation in naming the player he thinks will fill his shoes both for Italy and Juventus.

“Chiellini is a great player and I’m hardly the first to point that out. He is physically strong and still young, so he can achieve great things in the Nazionale. We’ve got to invest in our youth academies to help lads grow.”

The veteran defender will stay at Al-Ahli as a consultant, but admits he will return to his homeland.

“Italy is my future, but there is no rush. In life it’s important to travel and my family is very happy in Dubai. It’s a fabulous place and the club offered me a three-year contract as a director.

“Juventus? I still have to evaluate some things. They changed the structure of the club hierarchy, but you never know what will happen tomorrow.”

It was widely reported Cannavaro had a pre-contract agreement to become a director at Juve once his playing career came to an end.