Cassano: If my father had been there, my fate would have been different

Antonio Cassano has looked back on his time at Real Madrid and the row that led to a furious clash with Fabio Capello.

Early promise in Madrid

Cassano said the move began well. Madrid signed him to fill the void left by Luis Figo and Michael Owen, and he arrived aged 23 feeling like an important player.

He also pointed to the dressing room around him, saying he shared it with Zinedine Zidane and Ronaldo Nazário. Cassano added that plenty of players would have paid to be part of that squad.

Clash with Capello

The former Italy forward said frustration built when he was left out at times. He admitted he would complain, lose his temper for no clear reason and neglect his diet and rest.

Cassano said one substitution by Capello sparked a full blow-up in the dressing room, where he swore at the coach in both Spanish and Italian.

Looking back

He now believes his career lacked a firm guiding figure. Cassano said his father might have filled that role, but he lost him when he was 10.