
As some of you might know my man Fabio Cannavaro aka 'The Berlin Wall' (Get it?) was awarded the coveted title of European Footballer of the Year. This is the coolest thing ever and he totally deserves it. I glad hes finally getting som recognition. Heres a really good reason why he deserves it. This all went down before their world cup match against Ghana. I really admire them. I mean going all they to the finals and winning considering all the messed up stuff they were going through.
This is taken from an interview by Allan Tonetti. I think eveyone should read this as it reveals the intrinsic worth of a Captain. And it shows you just what an immensly remarkable man our Fabio is.
Buffon: "What prompted us to come together? Our captain's presence. His words and actions, that was everything. Without it, we wouldn't have had this unity." "It was the second night of camp. All of the players were having dinner when I received a summons from the Parma Prosecutor's Office telling me to make an appearance the following day. Sensing the (change in the) atmosphere, every face in the room hardened. I felt a strong responsibility for dampening the mood like that, while feeling this nameless anger build within me. But I was desperately trying to endure it.
Having finished eating, we began heading back to our rooms. That's when Fabio asked everyone to wait, gathering all of us around a table. He then said, 'Whether or not Gigi has committed a crime, I don't know the truth. But I do believe him to be a man who would admit to his wrongdoing if he's guilty. That's who Gigi is. And Gigi is saying he's innocent. (That's enough for me to) shred any kind of doubt. I believe him from the bottom of my heart.'
""He then invited everyone (to speak up). 'I have a favour to ask. If there's anything that's bothering you, I want you to share it with us now. Our coach knows about my talking to you tonight. We also agreed to get everything out in the open and not discuss it in any form after this point. Please raise your hand if you have any doubts towards Gigi or any of us from Juve in connection with the scandal. If there's anything you want to say, please say it now. A team can't bond if we're hiding something. And to win the World Cup, we need (to form) a strong solidarity. If you want to win the World Cup, please voice all your thoughts.' "
Allan Tonetti- And how did your team-mates respond?
Buffon- "They all expressed their trust for me in their own ways. Francesco in his characteristic Roman accent, Cristian by looking into my eyes and nodding quietly. They all showed me that our thoughts were one. Without that night, our match against Ghana may have had a different outcome. I wouldn't know for sure, but prior to that incident, Italy was in a state of confusion, enough to make that thought possible. At least, my mind was undoubtedly in a mess. It's thanks to Fabio and my team-mates that I can now concentrate on winning each game."
source(s): gigi interview by alan tonetti, Number, wc special issue 2