24.05.2010
Club-less Cannavaro on the market after Juve snub
Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro has signalled his availability to former club Napoli after revealing that Juventus have turned down the chance to extend his contract.
Former Real Madrid defender Cannavaro signed a one-year deal with Juventus last year but heading into the World Cup the Turin club have decided not to extend that deal.
The 36-year-old Italian, who will retire from international football after the World Cup, insists it has not affected his morale heading into the finals in South Africa where Italy face Paraguay, New Zealand and Slovakia.
"I'm a captain without a contract, since the option of a further year with Juve has not materialised," said Cannavaro during a training camp at altitude in Sestrieres.
"Going to the World Cup without a contract is not a problem for me. At my age, I can handle these kinds of things."
Despite his efficiency on the pitch, and his 132 caps for Italy, Cannavaro has become something of a pariah for some Juventus fans who did not appreciate his departure for Real Madrid four years ago in the wake of the match-fixing scandal which led to Juventus's demotion to Serie B.
During the 2010 season Cannavaro was often whistled by fans, especially after December when Juventus began to lose pace in the race for the Serie A title, eventually won by Inter Milan.
The way is now paved for Cannavaro to fulfil his dream of finishing his career in his native city of Naples, where he began his career and where his brother Paolo is the team captain.
Napoli, however, have yet to express any interest.
Source: © 2010 AFP - Damien Meyer
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