Cannavaro targets European glory

Fabio Cannavaro said at his unveiling as a Real Madrid CF player today that the UEFA Champions League gives him "the inspiration to keep training and fighting" as he looks to win club football's greatest prize for the first time.

Peerless displays
Cannavaro was Italy's outstanding performer as they won the FIFA World Cup earlier this month, producing a series of peerless displays at the heart of the Azzurri's superb defence and winning admiration for his anticipation, athleticism and ice-cool temperament. The 32-year-old won the UEFA Cup as a Parma FC player but has suffered only disappointment in the UEFA Champions League with FC Internazionale Milano and Juventus.

Objective set
Juve fell to English clubs at the quarter-final stage of each of the last two UEFA Champions League campaigns, and Cannavaro is hoping a change of scenery - having joined Madrid on a three-year contract along with Brazil midfielder Emerson for a combined reported fee of €20m - will bring with it a change in fortune. "My maximum objective now is to win the Champions League," said Cannavaro, whose sale was brought about by Juve's relegation following an investigation into sporting fraud in Serie A.

'Great opportunity'
"I had good times with Juventus but when you are offered the chance to come to Real at almost 33 years of age it is a great opportunity," he said. "I think it would have been difficult to move if Juve were still in Serie A. I didn't think there was much chance of this happening and Juve also saw it as an opportunity for the club." Linking up with former Juve boss Capello was another impetus for Cannavaro to swap Turin for Madrid. "The Capello factor is very important. We both know each other very well," he added.

'Great leader'
Madrid president Ramón Calderón was delighted to bring Cannavaro to Spain. "He was our No1 target from the day sports director Predrag Mijatović and Capello started planning the team. He is an example for all young players. He was a ball-boy at the World Cup finals in Italy in 1990 and since then has had an extraordinary career. He is the first signing of my presidency and is an authentic No1, a great leader." Cannavaro won his 100th cap in the World Cup final as Italy defeated France on penalties in Berlin. His quest to repeat those heroics in the UEFA Champions League begins at the start of the group stage on 12/13 September.