sport

CASSANO READY TO COMMIT TO SAMP

Cassano - feels important.

Sampdoria star Antonio Cassano claims he has calmed down since his move to the Stadio Luigi Ferraris and would love to end his career there.

Cassano is famed as much for his temper as his talent. The controversial striker was loaned out in disgrace from Real Madrid in 2007, after falling out with then coach Fabio Capello, before making the switch to Samp permanent this summer.

The 26-year-old has started hitting the headlines for the right reasons again and claims he would love nothing more than to retire at the Blucerchiati.

"Apart from everything, here I have found that which I have never found in 10 years of football," said Cassano. "There is a club that makes me feel important, right from the president, that wants me to be happy.

"Moreover I found director (Giuseppe) Marotta, the first person in the world of football to understand me, and all his colleagues.

"As soon as I make a mistake he sends me a message to let me now that they are close to me, that's never happened to me.

"I want to stay here for a long time.

"I've told the director: we'll stay here for life, him and me, and I'll stop at 34 and see what happens."

Cassano claims he owes Samp a great deal and insists that no amount of money could tempt him away from the Luigi Ferraris.

The Italy star would love to repay the club for their faith in him and believes that helping them into the Champions League would be as good as winning the World Cup.

"I gave up a lot of money for happiness, which doesn't have a price," continued Cassano. "I found happiness here, even if I played at the most important club in the world, Real Madrid, where many would pay to be able to go to.

"But for me Samp is the most important club, they gave me life, faith, they restored my smile.

"With all respect to those who don't have much: money matters little to me.

"I won't ever forget my first day here. Four or five thousand people welcomed me just when I needed affection. They are my people, I am their footballer.

"We can do well this season, we will fight again to reach the UEFA Cup like we did last year.

"But my dream is to wear this shirt in the Champions League, in about two or three years. It would be like winning a World Cup."

However, while Cassano claims a berth in Europe's premier club competition is within the Blucerchiati's grasp, he believes Internazionale under new coach Jose Mourinho will clean up domestically and abroad.

"Inter have 25 incredible players and moreover a coach with guts," he said. "Whenever he's made a promise he's always kept it, winning everything.

"I think that Inter in the next three years can really take home every trophy."

Cassano's temper has not completely disappeared as he demonstrated in March when, upon receiving a red card, he landed himself an extra five-match ban for hurling his shirt at the referee.

The former Roma player claims he has improved since his return to Italy but admits he is constantly under pressure to prove his doubters wrong.

"I feel I have improved as a man since I have been at Samp," he said. "If before I did 10 idiotic things a day, now I only do five.

"But I haven't changed. My nature is like that, even if it's right that one improves with time, otherwise you haven't learnt anything from life.

"I've had pressure on me since I was born, every game I always have to demonstrate something, because everybody will look at any mistake I make with a microscope.

"Even when I'm walking down the street I have to show people what I'm not. I'm used to these things.

"Now I'm only interested in being well physically, on the pitch I don't have to learn anything from anybody.

"I've always said to Marotta: imagine that with all the stupid things I've done I went and played at Real.

"If I hadn't done then where would I have ended up? On the moon playing by myself?"