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No matter how far Fabio Cannavaro has travelled in his career, he has always maintained that he would love to return where it all began – at hometown team Napoli. But over the years their two paths seemed destined to never meet again.
As an individual Cannavaro went from strength to strength, playing for clubs such as Parma, Inter, Juventus and Real Madrid. He has won national and international trophies, culminating in the 2006 World Cup victory. Napoli, on the other hand, endured bankruptcy hearings and relegations into Serie B and Serie C.
But now the situation has changed. Napoli have not only returned to Serie A, but have started the current campaign in style. The club’s new management seems genuinely committed to building a side that could achieve important ambitions. Cannavaro’s return is no longer such an outlandish thought.
But as appealing as is the image of the immigrant worker who returns home after a journey across the globe – an image especially powerful in Naples where so many of its best and brightest have left for distant shores over the decades – there is no guarantee that such a transfer would be an automatic success.
For starters, Napoli already have a reliably solid defence, based on Cannavaro’s own younger brother Paolo as well as Fabiano Santacroce and Matteo Contini. The older Cannavaro’s arrival may upset the side’s balance and cause a degree of resentment.
And whereas Cannavaro still seems to defy the sands of time, the fact is that he is in his mid-thirties, an age when most players start thinking about hanging their boots up.
This is not to say that the return of Italy’s captain would be bereft of benefits. Cannavaro is a natural leader in the changing room and his wealth of experience would enrich the side. And his return would no doubt increase the club’s prestige and confidence.
Romanticism aside, however, a contender’s objective should be to look to the future and not the past. If Napoli truly wish to become a power in Serie A once more, then they should be looking for the next generation’s Cannavaro rather than chasing after the last one.
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Fabio Cannavaro is without doubt a world class, elite defender. I was so happy to see him, along with the rest of the Azzurri, lift the World Cup. His performances have grown further after the sad retirements of the equally world class Maldini and Nesta. He is an excellent choice for Azzurri captain (only equal rivals being Del Piero and Buffon) and his vast experience will be a huge benefit to defensive partners – new and old.
As a Juve fan, I hope to see him return and form a great partnership with Chiellini – both internationally and at club level. He is one star after Calciopoli that I would love to see return, before he possibly follows other legends Ferrara and Pessotto into the Juve coaching/boardroom. If playing for Napoli is still his final dream I hope for him it happens – after a return to Turin!
Rob, Nottingham
Absolute rubbish!!! Yes Napoli are rising again, yes they have young stars, but their current position is more than likely false and have played teams whose form lacks whilst theirs is currently good. They are like the Hull of Serie A!!! This is all coming from a big Napoli fan by the way!!! Cannavaro would reignite the atmosphere and the historic status of current (ok maybe soon to be past) legends!!! I also have the firm belief that he is 10 times better than his brother!!!
Bushnelli
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