Jump to content

Antonio Cassano

Page semi-protected
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Antonio Cassano
Cassano playing for Italy at the UEFA Euro 2012
Personal information
Full name Antonio Cassano[1]
Date of birth (1982-07-12) 12 July 1982 (age 42)
Place of birth Bari, Italy
Height 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Position(s) Forward, attacking midfielder
Youth career
1997–1998 Bari
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1999–2001 Bari 48 (6)
2001–2006 Roma 118 (39)
2006–2008 Real Madrid 19 (2)
2007–2008 → Sampdoria (loan) 22 (10)
2008–2011 Sampdoria 74 (25)
2011–2012 AC Milan 33 (7)
2012–2013 Inter Milan 28 (7)
2013–2015 Parma 53 (17)
2015–2017 Sampdoria 24 (2)
2017 Verona 0 (0)
Total 419 (115)
International career
1998 Italy U15 9 (2)
1998 Italy U16 2 (0)
1999 Italy U18 2 (0)
2000 Italy U20 8 (2)
2000–2002 Italy U21 9 (3)
2003–2014 Italy 39 (10)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Antonio Cassano (Italian pronunciation: [anˈtɔːnjo kasˈsaːno];[2][3] born 12 July 1982) is an Italian former professional footballer who played as a forward. A talented and technically gifted player, he was usually deployed as a supporting forward,[4] but could also play as an attacking midfielder,[5] winger,[6] or as a striker.[7] Nicknamed Il Gioiello di Bari Vecchia ("the jewel of Old Bari"), and Fantantonio ("fantastic Antonio"), he was known for his short temper as much as his skill and ability on the pitch.[8] Cassano won an Italian and Spanish league title each throughout his career as major honours.

Cassano began his senior club career with hometown club Bari in 1999; his performances earned him a transfer to Roma two years later, where he won the Supercoppa Italiana and was twice named Serie A Young Footballer of the Year in 2001 and 2003. In 2006, he moved to La Liga club Real Madrid, where he won a league title, but was chastised for his poor behaviour, inconsistent performances, and work-rate, and returned to Italy a year later, on loan to Sampdoria. There, he refound his form, and was signed by the club on a permanent basis in 2008. He then spent single seasons with AC Milan and cross-city rivals Inter Milan, winning a Serie A title and his Supercoppa Italiana with the former, before signing for Parma in 2013. In 2015, he returned to Sampdoria, and in 2017, signed with Verona. He failed to make an appearance for the club and subsequently retired.

At international level, Cassano represented the Italy national football team on 39 occasions between 2003 and 2014, scoring 10 goals; he took part at three UEFA European Championships, and one FIFA World Cup, winning a runners-up medal at UEFA Euro 2012. Along with Mario Balotelli, he is Italy's top-scorer in the UEFA European Championships, with three goals.[9]

Cassano's short temper and disputes with managers and teammates led to birth of the neologism "cassanata" by his former coach, Fabio Capello, in 2002. The word is now regularly used by Italian sports journalists as a euphemism for any behavior incompatible with team spirit.[10]

Club career

Bari

Cassano was born in Bari[11] and his father left the family shortly thereafter.[12] He was raised in poverty by his mother in the San Nicola district of the Bari Vecchia neighbourhood, and began playing football on the streets at an early age.[13] Cassano was spotted by a Bari scout and brought up through the team's youth system, and he made his Serie A debut for Bari against local rivals Lecce on 11 December 1999.[14] During his time with Bari, he soon emerged as one of Serie A's most promising young Italian players, drawing particular attention to himself after scoring a notable, individual, match-winning goal (his first ever Serie A goal) in a 2–1 home win over Italian giants Inter Milan, on 18 December 1999, at the age of 17: in the 88th minute, after controlling a 40-yard lobbed pass on the run with his backheel, he subsequently dribbled past veteran defenders Christian Panucci and Laurent Blanc, wrong-footing goalkeeper Fabrizio Ferron with a dummy, before finishing at the near post.[15][16][17] Cassano's technical skill, precocious talent and impressive performances earned him the nicknames "Fantantonio", due to his flair and creativity,[18] and "El Pibe de Bari" ("The Kid from Bari"), a reference to the legendary Diego Maradona's nickname, "El Pibe de Oro".[19] During his two seasons with Bari, he scored a total of 6 goals in 48 Serie A matches, scoring 3 goals in 21 appearances during his first season, and 3 goals in 27 league matches during his second season with the club.[14]

Roma

In 2001, at the age of 19, Cassano signed with reigning Serie A champions Roma for a transfer fee of 60 billion Italian lire (about €30 million); at the time, this was the most expensive teenage signing ever.[13][20] His first season produced five goals, as well as a 2001 Supercoppa Italiana victory, and he attracted media attention after openly clashing with coach Fabio Capello after he was left out of a practice match a few days after his international debut.[21] In the 2003 Italian Cup final against Milan, Cassano was sent off after protesting an official's decision, and he flashed the sign of the horns at the referee while leaving the pitch. During his time with Roma, he won the Serie A Young Footballer of the Year Award in 2001 and in 2003.

He was omitted from the squad during Roma's tumultuous 2004–05 campaign while Luigi Delneri, Roma's third coach of the season (after Cesare Prandelli and Rudi Völler), was in charge. After Delneri himself resigned during the season, his replacement, Bruno Conti, returned Cassano to the starting lineup, with Cassano captaining the team in the absence of incumbent Francesco Totti, who was serving a five-match suspension.

During the 2005–06 pre-season, Cassano was in constant conflict with club management over the renewal of his contract, which was due to expire on 30 June 2006.[22] In January 2006, he acrimoniously parted ways with Roma and signed with Real Madrid[23] for just €5M.[24]

Real Madrid

Cassano became the second ever Italian player to sign for Real Madrid after former Roma teammate Christian Panucci. His debut came on 18 January 2006 in a Spanish Cup match against Real Betis, and scored his first goal just three minutes after entering the match in the second half.[11] Just four months into his tenure with the club, however, he began gaining weight due to poor eating habits, which resulted in Madrid fining him for every gram he remained over his playing weight,[25] and earned him the nickname "Gordito".[26]

On 30 October, Real Madrid's official website announced that Cassano had been suspended due to his "disrespect" of Capello, who had joined the club at the beginning of 2006–07 season, following a dressing room argument arising from his omission from the team after a game against Gimnàstic de Tarragona,[27] and was subsequently benched along with David Beckham and Ronaldo. In an interview with a Roman radio station, Cassano said he would "walk all the way back" to rejoin Roma, and indicated his eagerness to make peace with Totti, with whom Cassano had conflicted with before his departure from Roma. Cassano, however, remained with Madrid after the January 2007 transfer window had closed, and the rest of his season was cut short by an ankle injury. Despite winning the 2006–07 La Liga title with Real Madrid, Cassano only made seven league appearances, scoring just a single goal.[28]

In an interview with Spanish radio in July 2007, Real Madrid president Ramón Calderón described Cassano's attitude as "unsustainable in the last couple of months" and indicated that he would be leaving the club.[29]

Sampdoria

On 13 August 2007, Sampdoria took Cassano on a one-year loan, agreeing to pay €1.2 million of his €4.2 million salary.[11] He was presented to approximately 2,500 fans five days later.[citation needed] In his first press conference, Cassano said that he had chosen to wear the shirt number 99 for several reasons: firstly, as his first-choice, the number 18, was already taken by teammate Vladimir Koman, and because 9 plus 9 equals 18, secondly, because his other teammate Francesco Flachi was already wearing the number 10 shirt, which was his second choice, and thirdly, as he intended the number to be an homage to Brazilian striker Ronaldo, who was wearing the same number at Milan.[30]

He made his Sampdoria début that season in the Derby della Lanterna against Genoa on 23 September, in which he was substituted by former Roma teammate Vincenzo Montella in the final minutes of the match. Cassano scored his first league goal upon his return against Atalanta a week later, in a 3–0 victory. He scored in three consecutive games in January, and helped end league leaders Inter's winning league run with a goal in a 1–1 draw. Cassano, however, was sent off in a 2–2 draw with Torino on 2 March 2008, which he compounded by hurling his shirt at the referee as he left the pitch,[31] and was punished with a five-match ban. Sampdoria ended the season with an UEFA Cup berth, while Cassano was acquired on a permanent basis by the club on free transfer (plus bonus) from Madrid.[32]

Cassano as Sampdoria captain

In his second season, Cassano confirmed to have temperamentally improved, also becoming vice-captain for the team behind Angelo Palombo.[33] After the January signing of Giampaolo Pazzini from Fiorentina, Cassano managed to form a fruitful striking partnership with the former Viola forward, that was praised by both media and Sampdoria supporters, and led club chairman Riccardo Garrone to compare it with striking duo of Gianluca Vialli and Roberto Mancini that led Sampdoria to win their only Scudetto to date,[34] an opinion that was later shared also by both Vialli and Mancini.[35][36] Cassano scored 12 goals in Serie A and helped Sampdoria to reach the Coppa Italia final that season, scoring a goal in the semi-final against the Serie A Champions, Inter.[37] In the final, Sampdoria were defeated by Lazio in a penalty shoot-out, with Cassano missing the first penalty.[38]

His third season with Sampdoria again began very well, as he continued his prolific partnership with Pazzini, and was instrumental in the club's impressive seasonal start, that led them up to first place after a 1–0 home win to Inter. However, a result crisis, including a 3–0 defeat in the local derby against crosstown rivals Genoa, left Sampdoria down to mid-table on January, leading head coach Luigi Delneri to put Cassano off the team for "technical and tactical reasons", casting doubts about the player's future at the club.

In the final days of the January transfer window, he was linked with a move on loan to Fiorentina, that was however denied with an official statement from the club,[39] but was described by the media as Cassano's own refusal to leave Sampdoria.[40] This was confirmed by Cassano himself through an official statement published on Sampdoria's website, citing his relationship with club chairman Riccardo Garrone, his teammates and the team supporters as the main reason for his choice.[41] He soon came back into the starting line-up, and eventually helped Sampdoria to a fourth-place finish UEFA Champions League qualifying spot in Serie A. Sampdoria were defeated by Werder Bremen in the play-off round, however, and were to enter into the Europa League that season.[42] Del Neri left Sampdoria at the end of the season.[43]

Cassano's final season with the club was more difficult. In October 2010, Cassano was excluded from the first team squad with immediate effect after he had a heated row with chairman Riccardo Garrone following the player's refusal to attend an award ceremony.[44] Following such events, Sampdoria formally applied for a contract termination to a league arbitration panel, a position that was confirmed even after Cassano apologised to Garrone and the club.[45] On 16 December, the arbitration panel ordered Sampdoria to reinclude Cassano into the first team from 1 January 2011, rejecting the Blucerchiati's request for a contract termination, but also concluding Cassano will be paid only 50% of his salary for the remainder of his contract.[46]

Milan

On 20 December 2010, it was reported that Milan, Sampdoria and the player agreed the installment plan to pay a €5 million to Real Madrid which was indicated in Cassano's buy-out clause when he left the Spanish club. Eventually Sampdoria paid €5 million to Real Madrid;[47] Milan paid €3.33 million to Sampdoria,[47] while Cassano had a wage cut with Milan. Cassano then signed a three-and-a-half-year contract with Milan,[48] which was later confirmed by Milan's owner Silvio Berlusconi,[49] replacing the gap left by Ronaldinho's departure. His former strike partner at Sampdoria, Giampaolo Pazzini, also left the club in January to move to Milan's city rivals, Inter. Cassano made his debut for his new club in a 1–0 win against Cagliari where he came on as a substitute for Alexander Merkel in the latter stages of the game. He scored his first goal for Milan in a 4–0 win against Parma. He went on to score three more goals that season, as Milan claimed the 2010–11 Serie A title that season, Cassano's first Scudetto of his career; two of these goals came against former clubs Bari and Sampdoria, and the other one from a penalty against fierce rivals Inter on 2 April 2011, after coming on as a substitute; he was later sent off during the same match after being booked twice.[50] In the meantime, Sampdoria struggled without Cassano and Pazzini, and were relegated to Serie B at the end of the season.

As Cassano faced competition for a spot in the Milan starting XI from the likes of forwards Zlatan Ibrahimović, Alexandre Pato and Robinho, a lot of speculation formed over his future for the following season, as Cassano wanted to gain more playing time, due to his wish to keep his spot in the Italian national side. Although he was initially linked to other clubs, he stayed with Milan, and after a good pre-season, he won the 2011 Supercoppa Italiana with Milan over Inter, and he scored in the first Serie A game of the 2011–12 season against Lazio. On 29 October 2011, following Milan's match against Roma in Rome, Cassano was hospitalised after suffering a stroke upon arriving in Milan, and was operated on 4 November.[51][52][53] He returned to the first team on 7 April 2012, after almost six months on the side-lines, featuring as a substitute in Milan's 2–1 home defeat to Fiorentina in Serie A, and received a standing ovation from the crowd as he entered the pitch for Gianluca Zambrotta in the 79th minute.[54][55][56][57] He also appeared as a substitute in a 1–0 home win against Genoa on 25 April,[58] and on 29 April, he scored his first goal since his operation, in a 4–1 win over Siena, also setting up both of Ibrahimović's goals during the match.[59][60][61] Milan finished the Serie A season in second place behind Juventus, also reaching the semi-finals of the Coppa Italia, and the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

Internazionale

After reportedly being upset over the sale of Milan's key players, particularly Zlatan Ibrahimović and Thiago Silva, Cassano requested a transfer.[62] On 21 August 2012, Milan and Inter reached an agreement over an exchange deal involving Giampaolo Pazzini and Cassano, with a compensatory sum of €7.5 million in favor of the Nerazzurri. (Pazzini tagged for €13 million and Cassano for €5.5 million.)[63][64] He officially joined the team the next day.[65] Cassano signed a two-year contract with the club. Cassano's season at Inter was negative, as the club struggled in the league, while Cassano only scored five league goals and often argued with manager Andrea Stramaccioni, although he provided nine assists in Serie A.[8][66][67] The club finished the 2012–13 Serie A season in ninth place. In total, he scored 9 goals in 39 games for Inter in all competitions, providing 15 assists.[68]

Parma

After only one season at Inter, Cassano joined Parma on 4 July 2013 on a temporary deal, and was given the number 99 shirt that he had also worn at previous clubs.[69] Cassano's work-rate, fitness and discipline improved at Parma, as he managed to keep control of his weight through a stricter diet and training regime, losing 10 kg.[70] On 30 November, he scored his 100th Serie A goal in a 1–1 home draw against Bologna.[15] He refound his form with the club and had a successful 2013–14 season at Parma,[8] as he helped the club to a sixth-place finish in the league, achieving a Europa League qualifying spot, also scoring 13 goals and managing 8 assists in 36 appearances in all competitions, with 12 goals and 7 assists coming in Serie A.[71][72][73][74] In February 2014, he signed a pre-contract agreement with Parma for the 2014–15 season.[8]

In the first half of the 2014–15 season, Cassano managed 5 goals in 20 appearances as Parma were rooted to the bottom of the table and battling serious financial difficulties. On 26 January 2015, Parma allowed Cassano to terminate his contract with the club in advance, which made him a free agent; due to the club's financial struggles, he had reportedly not been paid his wages since June 2014.[75][76] Following the termination of his contract, he was initially linked with a return to Inter.[68]

Return to Sampdoria

Following his release from Parma back in January of the same year, Cassano re-joined former club Sampdoria for a third time on 9 August 2015. He agreed a two-year deal with the club, lasting until 30 June 2017.[77] He scored his first goal since his return to the club on 10 January 2016, in the 64th minute of a 2–1 home defeat to Juventus.[78]

During the 2016–17 pre-season, the club's president Massimo Ferrero communicated that Cassano was not a part of his plans, and was excluded from the Sampdoria first team. Cassano rejected offers from several clubs and obtained permission to train with the Sampdoria youth side, in particular with the Primavera team's goalkeeper.[79][80]

On 25 January 2017, Cassano terminated his contract with Sampdoria by mutual consent.[81]

Hellas Verona, Entella trial and retirement

On 10 July 2017, Cassano was signed by Verona.[82] He appeared in two summer friendlies for the club the next week; however, on 18 July, he was involved in a curious incident, which gained much publicity in the media: he initially communicated that he would be retiring from football, as he missed his family too much, before holding a press conference later the same day, in which he announced that he had reversed his decision, and stated that he was looking forward to "having a fun season" with Verona.[83] However, on 24 July, he overturned his decision once again, stating that he would be leaving the club and retiring from football, commenting: "As opposed to what appeared on my wife’s official social profiles, I would like to clarify the following. Carolina was wrong, after thinking and reflecting in the end I decided. Antonio Cassano will not play football anymore. I apologise to the city of Verona, to all the fans, to the president. For a 35-year-old man I need to be motivated and at this moment I feel that my priority is represented by being close to my children and my wife."[84][85] On 27 July, Cassano's contract with Verona was officially terminated by mutual consent,[86] before he had played any official matches for the club; regarding his reasons for parting ways with Verona so suddenly, he later stated in an interview with Tiki Taka that "[t]here was no spark there", adding: "It's like when you’re seeing a woman and she no longer attracts you, so you leave. I took a big risk 12 years ago leaving Real Madrid for Sampdoria. I didn't feel like making a similar choice this time. I knew this would be a season of suffering for Verona, but I didn't know if I could give 100 per cent to avoid relegation. I gave up a lot of money, which not everyone would do. I left things on good terms with them, we have a good rapport."[87] In spite of his previous comments, on 31 July, however, he stated that he would not be retiring, and that he was looking for a new club closer to home,[88] but added that he would retire if he did not sign with a club by September.[89] Although he received no other offers from Italian clubs, and was ultimately unable to sign for a team prior to the end of the summer transfer window, in September Cassano stated that he would be following a fitness training schedule given to him by his former Sampdoria fitness coach Agostino Tibaudi, and that he was hoping to sign for a club in the January transfer window.[90] In spite of rumours in the media of Cassano being linked with several clubs for January, towards the end of September, he once again stated that he was "done" with football.[91][92]

After a year of inactivity, in August 2018, Cassano announced that he was looking to return to football.[93] In October 2018, it was confirmed he was about to start training with Serie C team Virtus Entella, a club he was already linked to in the past.[94] In a prior interview a few days earlier, he had rejected reports linking him to Monza after Berlusconi's acquisition of the club, stating Virtus Entella would be the only club from outside of Serie A he would be willing to join.[95] A few days later, however, he confirmed that he had officially retired from football.[96]

International career

Cassano with the Italian team

Cassano made 39 appearances for the Italy national team, scoring ten goals.[97] He made his senior international debut on 12 November 2003, aged 21, in a 3–1 friendly defeat against Poland in Warsaw, in which he also scored his first goal.[98][99]

Cassano was included in Italy's UEFA Euro 2004 squad by manager Giovanni Trapattoni. He was initially thought to serve as a reserve, but after Francesco Totti was suspended following a spitting incident with Christian Poulsen in Italy's opening group match against Denmark, which ended in a 0–0 draw, Cassano was inserted into the starting lineup for a 1–1 draw with Sweden, in which he scored the opening goal.[100] In Italy's final group match, which ended in a 2–1 victory over Bulgaria, he was named man of the match, as he was involved in Simone Perrotta's equaliser, and also netted the last-minute winner, but Italy were eliminated in the group stage on direct encounters after a three-way, five-point tie with Denmark and Sweden.[101]

After a poor season with Real Madrid, Cassano was left off coach Marcello Lippi's final roster for the 2006 FIFA World Cup.[102] The Azzurri went on to lift the trophy in Berlin, beating France in a penalty shootout.[103]

In September 2006, Cassano was called up by new manager Roberto Donadoni for Euro 2008 qualifiers against Lithuania and France. However, he was not selected again until surprisingly being included in the Euro 2008 squad.[104] He went scoreless in the tournament as Italy were eliminated in the quarter-finals by eventual champions Spain after a penalty shootout.[105]

Cassano (left) at UEFA Euro 2012.

Lippi returned as coach for the 2010 World Cup qualification campaign and did not select Cassano during the qualifying matches or the 2010 World Cup finals.[102][106] After a two-year absence from the Azzurri, and following widespread criticism from the media towards Lippi about his exclusion from the World Cup squad, Cassano was readmitted into the squad on 6 August 2010 by new head coach Cesare Prandelli for his first game in charge of the team, a friendly match against the Ivory Coast played on 10 August at Upton Park, London.[107] Almost a month later, in Italy's Euro 2012 qualifier played in Estonia, Cassano scored the tying goal in a 1–2 away victory and also assisted Leonardo Bonucci's second goal with a back-heel. Cassano scored a long-range goal from just outside the box in Italy's 5–0 qualifying win over the Faroe Islands. He scored again against Estonia helping Italy secure a 3–0 win.

Cassano played in all six of Italy's matches and scored one goal against the Republic of Ireland during Euro 2012,[108] where the Italians reached the final, losing 4–0 against Spain.[109] In the semi-final against Germany, Cassano set up Mario Balotelli's first goal of the match.[110] Cassano wore the number 10 shirt for Italy throughout the tournament.[111] In July 2012, he was fined by UEFA for making a homophobic comment at a press conference during Euro 2012. At the conference, when asked if he thought there were any homosexual players in the Italian team, he replied, "I hope there are none." He later issued a statement saying he had been misinterpreted.[112]

Despite not featuring during the qualification campaign, Cassano was selected in Italy's squad for the 2014 World Cup.[113] On 20 June 2014, at the age of 31, Cassano made his World Cup debut as a substitute in a 1–0 loss to Costa Rica.[114] He also appeared as a substitute in Italy's 1–0 defeat to Uruguay, in their final group match on 24 June, which resulted in Italy's elimination in the first round of the tournament for the second consecutive time.[115] Cassano was criticised by the press for his poor performances and lack of fitness, as he failed to improve his team's results and did not provide pace and creativity to the team's attacking plays.[17] This would be his final appearance for Italy, as he was no longer called up by Italy's new manager, Antonio Conte, after the tournament.

Style of play

A creative forward, or fantasista, in Italian,[116][117] who usually functioned as an assist provider in his teams, due to his ability to create chances for teammates[117][118][119] (Cassano himself once stated that he preferred creating goals to scoring them),[120] Cassano was capable of playing anywhere along or behind the front-line, on either flank or through the centre of the pitch; in addition to his usual role as a second striker, he was able to act as an advanced playmaker, and was also deployed in a central role as a main striker, as a false-9, or even as a winger on occasion.[117][121][122] Cassano has been described as a player who was "skillful and intelligent on the ball" who possessed "excellent vision and also impresses with his eye for goal".[123][124] His best technical qualities were his trapping skills, control, dribbling, crossing ability and passing accuracy;[123][125] although naturally right-footed, he could also strike well with either foot.[124] In addition to his skills, touch and excellent technique, Cassano also possessed considerable upper-body strength and balance, which aided him in defending the ball with his back to goal despite his diminutive stature, and allowed him to retain possession in tight spaces, while his technical ability and acceleration enabled him to beat defenders in one on one situations, or when dribbling at speed.[124][126][127] He was also effective from set-pieces and penalties.[128]

Despite his flair, ability and talent, throughout his career, Cassano was also criticised for his behaviour and lack of discipline, both on and off the pitch, which often led him to pick up unnecessary cards;[129] he was also condemned for his poor work-rate and lack of fitness throughout different intervals of his career,[130][131] which led him to gain weight,[132] and lose some of his speed, stamina, and agility.[133][134] Although he was initially regarded as one of the most promising young players of his generation,[16] even being described as Roberto Baggio's heir,[135] due to his inconsistency, difficult character, and unpredictability, many in the sport, including his former manager Fabio Capello, have argued that he did not live up to the potential he demonstrated in his youth, and that his personality affected his career.[136]

Post-retirement

During 2019, Cassano was a pundit for Italia 1 football show Tiki Taka.[137]

In December 2019, Cassano successfully completed a director of football course at Coverciano.[138]

He successively joined fellow friends and former Serie A footballers Christian Vieri, Daniele Adani and Nicola Ventola in a regular Twitch show named Bobo TV, which started in 2020 during the first COVID-19 lockdown in Italy.[139]

Personal life

Cassano got engaged to water polo player Carolina Marcialis in 2008, then married on 19 June 2010 at a church, Chiesa di San Martino, in Portofino.[140] The couple have two sons.[141]

On 30 October 2011, it was reported that Cassano complained of finding it difficult to speak or move on the team plane when the team returned to Milan.[142] Three days later, his club Milan announced and confirmed that he was suffering from ischemic-based cerebral damage, though it was thought to be only temporary.[143] Cassano underwent minor heart surgery soon after.[142]

Controversy

In addition to his skill, Cassano is known for his temper, poor behaviour and lack of discipline; these have led to several controversial incidents both on and off the pitch throughout his career, which have thus been dubbed Cassanate by the press and his former manager Capello.[10][13][129]

During a Euro 2012 press conference, Cassano stated his preference for there to be no gay players on the squad and used a derogatory descriptor; he was subsequently fined by UEFA for making homophobic comments.[112][144]

On 1 February 2013, Cassano had a locker room brawl with his then coach at Inter, Andrea Stramaccioni. It occurred following Friday's training session and had started off as a relatively normal discussion before the pair got into a heated slanging match, then degenerated into pushing and shoving before the other players intervened to pull them apart.[145]

Sponsorship

Cassano was a brand ambassador for Diadora, and wore their Evoluzione K Pro GX 14 football boots in black and fluorescent yellow throughout his career.[146]

Career statistics

Club

Source:[147][148][149]
Club Season League Cup Europe Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Bari 1999–2000 Serie A 21 3 0 0 – 21 3
2000–01 Serie A 27 3 2 0 – 29 3
Total 48 6 2 0 – 50 6
Roma 2001–02 Serie A 22 5 3 1 5[a] 0 30 6
2002–03 Serie A 27 9 5 1 11[a] 4 43 14
2003–04 Serie A 33 14 0 0 6[b] 4 39 18
2004–05 Serie A 31 9 8 1 3[a] 1 42 11
2005–06 Serie A 5 2 – 2[b] 1 7 3
Total 118 39 16 3 27 10 161 52
Real Madrid 2005–06 La Liga 12 1 4 1 1[a] 0 17 2
2006–07 La Liga 7 1 1 1 4[a] 0 12 2
Total 19 2 5 2 5 0 29 4
Sampdoria 2007–08 Serie A 22 10 2 0 1[b] 0 25 10
2008–09 Serie A 35 12 4 1 6[b] 2 45 15
2009–10 Serie A 32 9 1 2 – 33 11
2010–11 Serie A 7 4 – 3 1 10 5
Total 96 35 7 3 12 3 115 41
Milan 2010–11 Serie A 17 4 4 0 – 21 4
2011–12 Serie A 16 3 0 0 3[a] 1 19 4
Total 33 7 4 0 3 1 40 8
Inter Milan 2012–13 Serie A 28 7 2 1 9[c] 1 39 9
Parma 2013–14 Serie A 34 12 2 1 – 36 13
2014–15 Serie A 19 5 1 0 – 20 5
Total 53 17 3 1 – 56 18
Sampdoria 2015–16 Serie A 24 2 1 0 – 25 2
2016–17 Serie A 0 0 0 0 – 0 0
Total 24 2 1 0 – 25 2
Career total 419 115 40 10 56 15 514 140
  1. ^ a b c d e f Appearances in UEFA Champions League
  2. ^ a b c d Appearances in UEFA Cup
  3. ^ Appearances in UEFA Europa League

International

Source:[147][148][150][151]
Italy
Year Apps Goals
2003 2 1
2004 4 2
2005 2 0
2006 2 0
2007 – –
2008 5 0
2009 – –
2010 5 2
2011 8 4
2012 7 1
2013 – –
2014 4 0
Total 39 10
Scores list Italy's tally first.[147][148][150][151]
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Competition
1 12 November 2003 Warsaw, Poland  Poland 3–1 Friendly
2 18 June 2004 Porto, Portugal  Sweden 1–1 UEFA Euro 2004
3 22 June 2004 Guimarães, Portugal  Bulgaria 2–1 UEFA Euro 2004
4 3 September 2010 Tallinn, Estonia  Estonia 1–2 UEFA Euro 2012 Qualification
5 7 September 2010 Florence, Italy  Faroe Islands 5–0 UEFA Euro 2012 Qualification
6 3 June 2011 Modena, Italy  Estonia 3–0 UEFA Euro 2012 Qualification
7 2 September 2011 Tórshavn, Faroe Islands  Faroe Islands 1–0 UEFA Euro 2012 Qualification
8 11 October 2011 Pescara, Italy  Northern Ireland 3–0 UEFA Euro 2012 Qualification
9
10 18 June 2012 Gdańsk, Poland  Republic of Ireland 2–0 UEFA Euro 2012

Honours

AS Roma[147]

Real Madrid[147]

AC Milan[147]

Individual

References

  1. ^ "2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil: List of Players: Italy" (PDF). FIFA. 14 July 2014. p. 21. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 September 2019.
  2. ^ Luciano Canepari. "Antonio". DiPI Online (in Italian). Archived from the original on 26 October 2018. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
  3. ^ Luciano Canepari. "cassano". DiPI Online (in Italian). Archived from the original on 28 October 2018. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
  4. ^ "Cassano, l'ora della maturità" (in Italian). Panorama. Archived from the original on 2 February 2015. Retrieved 2 February 2015.
  5. ^ "UEFA Euro 2012 – Italy Face Trequartista Conundrum". 20 June 2012. Archived from the original on 2 February 2015. Retrieved 2 February 2015.
  6. ^ "Cassano show, la Samp va Bologna alla sesta sconfitta" (in Italian). La Gazzetta dello Sport. 26 October 2008. Archived from the original on 2 February 2015. Retrieved 2 February 2015.
  7. ^ "Marchegiani: "Cassano può fare la prima e la seconda punta. Pazzini al Milan..."" (in Italian). F.C. Inter.it. Archived from the original on 2 February 2015. Retrieved 2 February 2015.
  8. ^ a b c d Adam Digby (14 February 2014). "Rejuvenated Cassano shifting bad-boy image with Parma". FourFourTwo. Archived from the original on 28 April 2016. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
  9. ^ Paolo Menicucci (15 April 2016). "Stars of UEFA EURO 2016: Gianluigi Buffon". UEFA. Archived from the original on 30 March 2021. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
  10. ^ a b "Antonio il terribile" [Antonio the terrible)] (in Italian). Gazzetta dello Sport. 1 January 2006. Archived from the original on 29 September 2007. Retrieved 30 July 2007.
  11. ^ a b c "Sampdoria complete Cassano swoop". UEFA. 14 August 2007. Archived from the original on 7 January 2016. Retrieved 2 November 2010.
  12. ^ "Antonio Cassano". sportspundit.com. Archived from the original on 24 December 2013. Retrieved 23 December 2013.
  13. ^ a b c Duncan White (10 June 2012). "Euro 2012: whole-hearted Antonio Cassano no longer Italy's rebel". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 7 January 2016. Retrieved 6 January 2016.
  14. ^ a b "BARI IN THE BLOOD". A.C. Milan. 9 August 2011. Archived from the original on 7 January 2016. Retrieved 6 January 2016.
  15. ^ a b "Cassano, il suo gol numero 100 in serie A" (in Italian). Il Corriere della Sera. 30 November 2013. Archived from the original on 22 November 2016. Retrieved 22 November 2016.
  16. ^ a b "Le nuove stelle" [The new stars] (in Italian). Rai Sport.it. Archived from the original on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 2 February 2015.
  17. ^ a b Bandini, Paolo (21 June 2014). "Italy disappointed by new Antonio Cassano". ESPN FC. Archived from the original on 7 January 2016. Retrieved 6 January 2016.
  18. ^ "Fantantonio Cassano, the best Italian player that never was". Archived from the original on 6 February 2015. Retrieved 6 February 2015.
  19. ^ "99, "El Pibe de Bari"" (in Italian). Canale Milan.it. Archived from the original on 3 February 2015. Retrieved 2 February 2015.
  20. ^ "RELAZIIONE SEMESTRALE AL 31 DIICEMBRE 2000" (PDF). AS Roma (in Italian). Borsa Italiana Archive. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2 February 2017. Retrieved 24 March 2015.
  21. ^ "Cassano in new bust-up with Capello". The Star. 22 November 2003. Archived from the original on 13 September 2017. Retrieved 13 September 2017.
  22. ^ Training accident keeps Cassano out Archived 14 October 2005 at the Wayback Machine; UEFA.com 14 October 2005
  23. ^ "Madrid unveil Cassano". UEFA. 4 January 2006. Archived from the original on 7 January 2016. Retrieved 2 November 2010.
  24. ^ http://bo.asroma.it/UserFiles/755.pdf[permanent dead link‍]
  25. ^ "Antonio Cassano". The Telegraph. 21 October 2014. Archived from the original on 7 January 2016. Retrieved 6 January 2016.
  26. ^ Angelo Alfonso Centrone (7 January 2011). "Cassano, da Peter Pan a Cappellaio matto Pellegatti sdogana il nuovo soprannome" (in Italian). Il Corriere del Mezzogiorno. Archived from the original on 19 October 2021. Retrieved 3 June 2016.
  27. ^ "Cassano cast out at Madrid". UEFA. 30 October 2006. Retrieved 6 January 2016.
  28. ^ "La lunga storia di un fuoriclasse di nome Cassano" [The long history of a champion named Cassano] (in Italian). Sampdoria.it. Archived from the original on 9 February 2015. Retrieved 6 February 2015.
  29. ^ ""Después de este primer año en la presidencia, mantengo la ilusión del primer día" ("After this first year as president, i have the illusion of the first day")" (in Spanish). Real Madrid CF. 3 July 2007. Archived from the original on 15 July 2007. Retrieved 30 July 2007.
  30. ^ Filippo Grimaldi (18 August 2007). "Cassano si prende la Samp" (in Italian). La Gazzetta dello Sport. Archived from the original on 7 January 2016. Retrieved 6 January 2016.
  31. ^ Cassano red card, 3/2/08 Archived 10 May 2017 at the Wayback Machine; YouTube
  32. ^ "Ufficiale: Antonio Cassano è tutto della Sampdoria". UC Sampdoria (in Italian). 30 May 2008. Archived from the original on 14 June 2011. Retrieved 2 November 2010.
  33. ^ Harrison Mead (12 August 2015). "Former Sampdoria XI: Can Cassano find a place in the lineup?". Archived from the original on 7 January 2016. Retrieved 6 January 2016.
  34. ^ "Garrone: "Cassano e Pazzini come Mancini e Vialli"" [Garrone: "Cassano and Pazzini like Mancini and Vialli"] (in Italian). SampdoriaNews. 24 February 2009. Retrieved 29 March 2009.
  35. ^ "Sampdoria legend Vialli big fan of Cassano, Pazzini". tribalfootball.com. 9 March 2009. Archived from the original on 3 September 2009. Retrieved 29 March 2009.
  36. ^ "Mancini: "Pazzini e Cassano come me e Vialli? Ci può stare" (Mancini: "Pazzini and Cassano like me and Vialli? It can be"" (in Italian). TuttoMercatoWeb. 28 March 2009. Retrieved 29 March 2009.
  37. ^ "Coppa Italia, la Samp stende l'Inter. Paura per Balotelli" (in Italian). Sky.it. 4 March 2009. Archived from the original on 6 February 2015. Retrieved 6 February 2015.
  38. ^ "La Lazio conquista la Coppa Italia Sampdoria piegata ai calci di rigore". 13 May 2009. Archived from the original on 6 February 2015. Retrieved 6 February 2015.
  39. ^ "Comunicato Stampa: nota ufficiale società" (in Italian). UC Sampdoria. 31 January 2010. Archived from the original on 3 February 2010. Retrieved 31 January 2010.
  40. ^ "Cassano niente Fiorentina, resta alla Sampdoria" (in Italian). Corriere dello Sport – Stadio. 31 January 2010. Retrieved 31 January 2010. [dead link‍]
  41. ^ "Parla Antonio: "Ecco perché resto alla Sampdoria"" (in Italian). UC Sampdoria. 31 January 2010. Archived from the original on 3 February 2010. Retrieved 31 January 2010.
  42. ^ "Sampdoria – Werder Brema 3-2". Archived from the original on 8 July 2017. Retrieved 6 February 2015.
  43. ^ "Sampdoria: Comunicato Stampa" (PDF). Retrieved 6 February 2015.[permanent dead link‍]
  44. ^ "Cassano set for Samp exit after president row?". ESPN Soccernet. 30 October 2010. Archived from the original on 23 October 2012. Retrieved 5 November 2010.
  45. ^ "Sampdoria wait for review of Cassano case". ESPN Soccernet. 2 November 2010. Archived from the original on 23 October 2012. Retrieved 5 November 2010.
  46. ^ "Cassano dispute resolved". SKY Sport. 16 December 2010. Archived from the original on 19 December 2010. Retrieved 16 December 2010.
  47. ^ a b Relazione sulla Gestione of UC Sampdoria Report and Accounts on 31 December 2010
  48. ^ Laudisa, Carlo (20 December 2010). "Cassano at Milan until 2014; He goes to team training camp on the 27th". La Gazzeta dello Sport. Archived from the original on 22 December 2010. Retrieved 27 December 2010.
  49. ^ "Milan confirm Cassano capture". Sky Sports. 21 December 2010. Archived from the original on 24 December 2010. Retrieved 27 December 2010.
  50. ^ "Pato's derby double gives Milan title edge over 10-man Inter". CNN. 2 April 2011. Archived from the original on 9 December 2015. Retrieved 30 November 2015.
  51. ^ "I've already won: 'Blessed' Cassano relives his brush with death". The Mirror. 22 June 2012. Archived from the original on 27 February 2015. Retrieved 6 February 2015.
  52. ^ "A.C. MILAN COMUNICATO UFFICIALE" (in Italian). A.C. Milan. Archived from the original on 6 February 2015. Retrieved 6 February 2015.
  53. ^ "ANTONIO CASSANO: A.C. MILAN COMUNICATO UFFICIALE" (in Italian). A.C. Milan. Archived from the original on 6 February 2015. Retrieved 6 February 2015.
  54. ^ "CASSANO: IL GRANDE RITORNO" (in Italian). A.C. Milan. Archived from the original on 29 November 2014. Retrieved 6 February 2015.
  55. ^ "Milan 1-2 Fiorentina". eurosport.com. 7 April 2012. Archived from the original on 13 October 2018. Retrieved 13 October 2018.
  56. ^ Gaetano De Stefano (7 April 2012). "Amauri fa un regalo alla Juve Il Milan crolla con la Fiorentina" (in Italian). La Gazzetta dello Sport. Archived from the original on 13 October 2018. Retrieved 13 October 2018.
  57. ^ "Cassano and Gattuso, partners in bravery". FIFA. 28 April 2012. Archived from the original on 13 October 2018. Retrieved 13 October 2018.
  58. ^ "AC Milan 1-0 Genoa". eurosport.com. 25 April 2012. Archived from the original on 13 October 2018. Retrieved 13 October 2018.
  59. ^ "Il Milan non molla Poker al Siena" (in Italian). La Repubblica. 29 April 2012. Archived from the original on 6 February 2015. Retrieved 6 February 2015.
  60. ^ "Cassano torna al gol dopo 206 giorni" (in Italian). milannews.it. Archived from the original on 6 February 2015. Retrieved 6 February 2015.
  61. ^ "La rinascita di Cassano, torna al gol sei mesi dopo l'intervento al cuore" (in Italian). Il Messaggero. Archived from the original on 6 February 2015. Retrieved 6 February 2015.
  62. ^ "Official: Inter and AC Milan finalize Cassano-Pazzini swap". 22 August 2012. Archived from the original on 14 September 2017. Retrieved 2 September 2012.
  63. ^ "AC Milan and Inter agree terms over Pazzini-Cassano swap". 21 August 2012. Archived from the original on 2 August 2017. Retrieved 22 August 2012.
  64. ^ "RELAZIONE E BILANCIO AL 31 DICEMBRE 2012" (PDF) (in Italian). AC Milan. 5 June 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 May 2015. Retrieved 29 April 2014.
  65. ^ "Transfers: Antonio Cassano signs for Inter". 22 August 2012. Archived from the original on 9 March 2020. Retrieved 23 August 2012.
  66. ^ Giancarlo Rinaldi (4 March 2013). "Strama 1 Cassano 0". Football Italia. Archived from the original on 4 August 2016. Retrieved 3 June 2016.
  67. ^ "Italian Serie A Assists Leaders – 2012–13". ESPN. Entertainment and Sports Programming Network. Archived from the original on 23 April 2014. Retrieved 25 August 2012.
  68. ^ a b "Cassano-Inter reports intensify". Football Italia. 31 January 2015. Archived from the original on 4 August 2016. Retrieved 3 June 2016.
  69. ^ "Cassano leaves Inter for Parma". Goal.com. 4 July 2013. Archived from the original on 6 July 2013. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
  70. ^ "World Cup 2014: Antonio Cassano wants Italy recall after losing 10kg". BBC. 17 March 2014. Archived from the original on 22 August 2016. Retrieved 3 June 2016.
  71. ^ "Giuseppe Rossi named in Italy's preliminary World Cup squad". Fox Sports. 13 May 2014. Archived from the original on 30 June 2016. Retrieved 3 June 2016.
  72. ^ Bandini, Nicky (19 May 2014). "Serie A season signs off with ding-dong battle for Europa League berth". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 11 August 2016. Retrieved 3 June 2016.
  73. ^ Lorenzo Vicini. "From laborious to victorious". Football Italia. Archived from the original on 4 August 2016. Retrieved 3 June 2016.
  74. ^ Vanni Zagnoli (4 May 2014). "Parma-Samp 2-0 nel segno di Cassano: un gol e tanti assist nel suo derby del cuore" (in Italian). Il Messaggero. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 22 November 2016.
  75. ^ "Antonio Cassano leaves Parma, could sign with Bari". ESPN FC. 26 January 2015. Archived from the original on 10 February 2016. Retrieved 11 January 2016.
  76. ^ Ben Gladwell (22 July 2015). "Antonio Cassano could still seal Sampdoria return – sporting director". ESPN FC. Archived from the original on 11 June 2016. Retrieved 3 June 2016.
  77. ^ "CASSANO È BLUCERCHIATO: "SONO FELICE, SEMPRE FORZA SAMP!"" (in Italian). U.C. Sampdoria. 9 August 2015. Archived from the original on 13 August 2015. Retrieved 9 August 2015.
  78. ^ "Sampdoria 1 Juventus 2: Pogba, Khedira on target as champions march on". FourFourTwo. 10 January 2016. Archived from the original on 8 April 2016. Retrieved 21 March 2016.
  79. ^ "Ferrero shelves Cassano". Football Italia. 13 November 2016. Archived from the original on 14 November 2016. Retrieved 14 November 2016.
  80. ^ Lorenzo Montaldo; Steve Mitchell (2 November 2016). "Sampdoria: Cassano granted shooting practice despite uncertain future". CalcioMercato.com. Archived from the original on 15 November 2016. Retrieved 14 November 2016.
  81. ^ "Official: Cassano-Sampdoria contract terminated". Football Italia. 25 January 2017. Archived from the original on 26 January 2017. Retrieved 25 January 2017.
  82. ^ "Official: Cassano joins Verona". Football Italia. 10 July 2017. Archived from the original on 10 July 2017. Retrieved 10 July 2017.
  83. ^ Marcus Christenson (18 July 2017). "Antonio Cassano retires, then un-retires and vows to 'have fun' with Verona". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 18 July 2017. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
  84. ^ "'His head isn't right': Antonio Cassano retires (again) after leaving Verona". The Guardian. 24 July 2017. Archived from the original on 24 July 2017. Retrieved 24 July 2017.
  85. ^ "Cassano ci ripensa: "Smetto col calcio. Mia moglie non aveva capito"" (in Italian). 24 July 2017. Archived from the original on 24 July 2017. Retrieved 24 July 2017.
  86. ^ "Official: Cassano contract terminated". Football Italia. 27 July 2017. Archived from the original on 29 July 2017. Retrieved 27 July 2017.
  87. ^ "Cassano: 'Inter will win the Scudetto'". Football Italia. 19 September 2017. Archived from the original on 22 September 2017. Retrieved 27 September 2017.
  88. ^ "Cassano: "Non mi ritiro, cercatemi entro settembre. Verona? La verità è..."" (in Italian). La Gazzetta dello Sport. 31 July 2017. Archived from the original on 18 August 2017. Retrieved 19 August 2017.
  89. ^ "Cassano: "Non smetto, chi mi vuole mi chiami"" (in Italian). Sky.it. 31 July 2017. Archived from the original on 27 October 2018. Retrieved 17 December 2017.
  90. ^ "Cassano: 'Zero Italian offers'". Football Italia. 16 September 2017. Archived from the original on 19 September 2017. Retrieved 18 September 2017.
  91. ^ "Cassano fa calare il sipario: "Con il calcio ho finito, ho finito"" (in Italian). La Gazzetta dello Sport. 27 September 2017. Archived from the original on 27 September 2017. Retrieved 27 September 2017.
  92. ^ "Cassano: Done with football". Football Italia. 27 September 2017. Archived from the original on 27 September 2017. Retrieved 27 September 2017.
  93. ^ "Cassano looking for a new club after a year out of the game". AS.com English. 3 August 2018. Archived from the original on 6 October 2018. Retrieved 6 October 2018.
  94. ^ "Antonio Cassano: Former Italy international to train with Serie C side". BBC Sport. 6 October 2018. Archived from the original on 6 October 2018. Retrieved 6 October 2018.
  95. ^ "Cassano rifiuta il Monza: "Posso ancora giocare in Serie A, in categorie più basse solo all'Entella"" (in Italian). Eurosport. 1 October 2018. Archived from the original on 6 October 2018. Retrieved 6 October 2018.
  96. ^ "Cassano: 'This time it's really over'". Football Italia. 13 October 2018. Archived from the original on 13 October 2018. Retrieved 13 October 2018.
  97. ^ "Cassano, Antonio" (in Italian). FIGC. Archived from the original on 16 March 2016. Retrieved 3 June 2016.
  98. ^ "Cassano non evita il naufragio degli azzurri" (in Italian). Il Corriere della Sera. 13 November 2003. Archived from the original on 1 January 2016. Retrieved 6 February 2015.
  99. ^ "Trap k.o., ma trova Cassano" (in Italian). La Gazzetta dello Sport. 12 November 2003. Archived from the original on 2 February 2017. Retrieved 20 January 2017.
  100. ^ "Italy 1-1 Sweden". BBC. 18 June 2004. Archived from the original on 15 September 2017. Retrieved 6 February 2015.
  101. ^ "Cassano's last-gasp winner all for nought as Trapattoni pays price for early exit". The Guardian. 23 June 2004. Archived from the original on 6 February 2015. Retrieved 6 February 2015.
  102. ^ a b "World Cup 2014: Antonio Cassano wants Italy recall after losing 10kg". BBC. 17 March 2014. Archived from the original on 17 May 2014. Retrieved 21 June 2014.
  103. ^ "Italy 1 – 1 France (5–3 pens)". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 6 January 2017. Retrieved 27 June 2014.
  104. ^ "Cassano choice shocks some in Italy". UEFA. 20 May 2008. Archived from the original on 19 October 2021. Retrieved 21 June 2014.
  105. ^ "Spain 0 – 0 Italy". ESPNsoccernet. ESPN. 22 June 2008. Archived from the original on 28 June 2008. Retrieved 15 June 2010.
  106. ^ "World Cup 2010: Italy's Antonio Cassano refuses to postpone June wedding". The Telegraph. 26 April 2010. Archived from the original on 7 January 2016. Retrieved 21 June 2014.
  107. ^ "Italy turn to Balotelli, Cassano". FIFA. 6 August 2010. Archived from the original on 23 August 2010. Retrieved 6 August 2010.
  108. ^ "Euro 2012: Mario Balotelli secures Italy's passage against Ireland". The Guardian. 18 June 2012. Archived from the original on 6 February 2015. Retrieved 6 February 2015.
  109. ^ Phil McNulty (1 July 2012). "Spain 4–0 Italy". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 25 March 2015. Retrieved 4 May 2015.
  110. ^ "Euro 2012: Mario Balotelli scores twice as Italy stuns Germany". National Post. 28 June 2012. Retrieved 6 February 2015.
  111. ^ "Tutti i numeri 10 dell'Italia agli Europei dal 2000 ad oggi" (in Italian). 90min.com. 9 June 2024. Retrieved 10 June 2024.
  112. ^ a b "Antonio Cassano fined for Euro 2012 homosexual remark". BBC Sport. 12 June 2012. Archived from the original on 20 July 2012. Retrieved 21 July 2012.
  113. ^ "World Cup 2014: Italy omit Giuseppe Rossi from final squad". BBC. 1 June 2014. Archived from the original on 6 June 2014. Retrieved 15 June 2014.
  114. ^ "Italy 0-1 Costa Rica". BBC. 20 June 2014. Archived from the original on 20 June 2014. Retrieved 21 June 2014.
  115. ^ "Godin, Uruguay dump Italy out of World Cup". Sportsnet.ca. 24 June 2014. Archived from the original on 7 January 2016. Retrieved 6 January 2016.
  116. ^ "The end for Cassano?". Football Italia. 4 September 2012. Archived from the original on 7 January 2016. Retrieved 6 January 2016.
  117. ^ a b c Marco Lignana (12 August 2015). "Tridente o fantasista Zenga adesso studia la Samp per Cassano" (in Italian). La Repubblica. Archived from the original on 7 January 2016. Retrieved 6 January 2016.
  118. ^ "Cassano vs Coutinho: la fantasia al potere" (in Italian). fcinter1908.it. 25 October 2010. Archived from the original on 13 October 2018. Retrieved 13 October 2018.
  119. ^ Guglielmo Trupo (28 November 2013). "Parma, è derby fantasia: Cassano contro Diamanti, un duello da favola" (in Italian). parmatoday.it. Archived from the original on 13 October 2018. Retrieved 13 October 2018.
  120. ^ "Inter, Cassano: "Venire qui era il mio sogno. Gol? Preferisco l'assist"" (in Italian). calcionews24.com. 1 October 2012. Archived from the original on 13 October 2018. Retrieved 13 October 2018.
  121. ^ Anthony Lopopolo (5 June 2014). "World Cup-Bound Antonio Cassano Never More Important to the Azzurri". Bleacher Report. Archived from the original on 7 January 2016. Retrieved 6 January 2016.
  122. ^ "AC Milan striker Antonio Cassano has heart surgery". BBC. 4 November 2011. Archived from the original on 7 January 2016. Retrieved 6 January 2016.
  123. ^ a b "Player Profile". ESPN Soccernet. Archived from the original on 2 January 2013. Retrieved 6 June 2012.
  124. ^ a b c James Eve (6 June 2004). "The future of Italian football". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 7 January 2016. Retrieved 6 January 2016.
  125. ^ "Roma – Squad profiles". ESPN. 13 February 2003. Archived from the original on 4 November 2020. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
  126. ^ "Antonio Cassano" (in Italian). Archived from the original on 25 December 2013. Retrieved 6 January 2016.
  127. ^ Filippo Grassia (20 August 2009). "Cassano? Qualcuno gli vuole male..." (in Italian). Il Giornale. Archived from the original on 7 January 2016. Retrieved 6 January 2016.
  128. ^ Maurizio Mosca (4 December 2009). "Dinho-Cassano, chi è il migliore?" (in Italian). Mediaset. Archived from the original on 9 May 2016. Retrieved 21 July 2016.
  129. ^ a b "Dalle corna a Rosetti alla lite con Stramaccioni, ecco tutte le 'cassanate'" (in Italian). La Repubblica. 2 March 2013. Archived from the original on 7 January 2016. Retrieved 6 January 2016.
  130. ^ James Horncastle (4 March 2014). "World Cup 100 days: England's Group D opponents assessed". BBC. Archived from the original on 7 January 2016. Retrieved 6 January 2016.
  131. ^ "Cassano: This is my last chance". The World Game. 15 January 2011. Archived from the original on 7 January 2016. Retrieved 6 January 2016.
  132. ^ "Cassano needs to cut down". Football Italia. 28 December 2010. Archived from the original on 7 January 2016. Retrieved 6 January 2016.
  133. ^ Brian Homewood (17 March 2014). "Slimline Cassano still hoping for World Cup call up". Reuters. Archived from the original on 7 January 2016. Retrieved 6 January 2016.
  134. ^ Emanuele Gamba (3 November 2013). "Barzagli inappuntabile, Cassano lento" (in Italian). La Repubblica. Archived from the original on 7 January 2016. Retrieved 6 January 2016.
  135. ^ Paolo Bandini (18 December 2007). "Sampdoria's Peter Pan refuses to grow up". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 7 July 2018. Retrieved 21 March 2016.
  136. ^ "Capello on Cassano and Totti". Football Italia. 4 March 2013. Archived from the original on 18 November 2015. Retrieved 17 November 2015.
  137. ^ "Antonio Cassano cacciato da Tiki Taka. Ecco i motivi della decisione di Mediaset" (in Italian). Il Messaggero. 23 December 2019. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
  138. ^ "Cassano si diploma: adesso è ufficialmente un direttore sportivo" (in Italian). La Gazzetta dello Sport. 9 December 2019. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
  139. ^ "Vieri: 'Vi svelo com'è nata la Bobo Tv!'" (in Italian). Ilbianconero.com. 9 October 2021. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
  140. ^ "Cassano si è sposato (Cassano has been married)" (in Italian). Corriere dello Sport. 19 June 2010. Archived from the original on 29 February 2012. Retrieved 21 June 2010.
  141. ^ "Cassano names son after Messi". theworldgame.sbs.com.au. Agence France Presse. 20 March 2013. Archived from the original on 3 September 2014. Retrieved 29 August 2014.
  142. ^ a b "Milan's Cassano has heart surgery". BBC News. 4 November 2011. Archived from the original on 2 November 2011. Retrieved 1 November 2011.
  143. ^ Milan's Cassano out for months, to have surgery Archived 13 November 2011 at the Wayback Machine. Rediff.com. 3 November 2011. Retrieved 4 November 2011.
  144. ^ "Italy's Cassano hopes there are no gay players on Euro team". Sports Illustrated. 12 June 2012. Archived from the original on 19 January 2013. Retrieved 20 June 2014.
  145. ^ Staff, Football Italia (1 February 2013). "Strama-Cassano in locker room brawl!". Football Italia. Archived from the original on 5 March 2013. Retrieved 2 February 2013.
  146. ^ "Cassano in the Diadora Evoluzione K Pro GX 14". FootballBoots.co.uk. Archived from the original on 7 January 2016. Retrieved 1 May 2012.
  147. ^ a b c d e f "A. Cassano". Soccerway. Archived from the original on 10 December 2015. Retrieved 20 December 2015.
  148. ^ a b c "Antonio Cassano – Goals". ESPN FC. Archived from the original on 28 April 2012. Retrieved 12 October 2011.
  149. ^ "Antonio Cassano" (in Italian). La Gazzetta dello Sport. Archived from the original on 18 September 2017. Retrieved 6 November 2017.
  150. ^ a b "Antonio Cassano – Goals in International Matches". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 12 October 2011.
  151. ^ a b "Cassano, Antonio" (in Italian). FIGC. Archived from the original on 16 March 2016. Retrieved 6 November 2017.
  152. ^ "Antonio Cassano". Vivo Azzurro. Archived from the original on 25 March 2015. Retrieved 6 January 2016.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Antonio Cassano.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Antonio_Cassano&oldid=1265188108"