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Football

12th Aug 2018

Antonio Cassano dreaming of Serie A return so he can play against Cristiano Ronaldo

Cassano, 36, retired from the game two years ago but is dreaming of a return to Serie A just so he can play against Cristiano Ronaldo

Reuben Pinder

His best chance might be signing up to be a mascot

Antonio Cassano, a player once instructed by Cesare Prandelli to cut out focaccia bread from his diet becaus ehe had become overweight, is dreaming of a return to Serie A.

The ex-Italy international, who retired from football two years ago, wants to play against Cristiano Ronaldo and has told his agent to try to find him a club.

The 36-year-old, has asked his agent to look for a Serie A club to take him, although he does not want to move far from his family.

Cassano has played for Bari, Roma, AC Milan, Inter, Parma, Sampdoria and Hellas Verona in the past and the most likely destination seems to be a return to Parma, who have just been promoted to Serie A after recovering from financial struggles which sent the club into administration.

Speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport (via Football Italia), Cassano said: “My agent spoke to many clubs and I thank him, but I put so many limitations on our options because I don’t want to be too far away from my family.”

“Parma? I wish… I hope I’ll make it in time to play against Cristiano Ronaldo.”

“It goes without saying now, Juventus have the Scudetto sewn up until 2022. CR7 will score at least 40 goals, while I only see Inter behind the Bianconeri,” he added.

He made clear that he does not consider Cristiano to be the best player in the world, though, coming out as a supporter of Team Messi in the never ending debate of which player is superior.

“Juventus did a great deal by signing the second best player in the world. Of course, I still consider Lionel Messi to be the best, as I even named my son after him. Ronaldo will repay Juve not just in goals and results, but also in economic terms.”

Cassano’s desire to return to the league shows the influence that Ronaldo’s move will have on Serie A and the league’s pulling power when attracting players, but having been out of the game for two years, Cassano might be waiting a while before he finds a team desperate enough to take him on.