Fabio Capello says the decision to sell Ronaldo Nazario helped him achieve success during his second spell with Real Madrid.
The Italian shared several stories while speaking at the Festival dello Sport in Trento, including his decision to sell Ronaldo to AC Milan in January of the 2006/07 season.
“The decision to sack Ronaldo and sign Cassano helped create a winning spirit in the team,” said Capello.
“We clawed nine points from Barcelona in the final 10 games and I’m still proud of that today.
“I remember Silvio Berlusconi called me to ask how Ronaldo was doing.
“I told him that he wasn’t even training and that he was too fond of parties and women, so signing him for Milan would be a mistake.
“The next day I saw the headlines in the newspapers: ‘Ronaldo in Milan’. It was very funny.”
The Italian coach also revealed that Real Madrid is the team that left the biggest mark on him, above all because of how he shaped the club during his first run at the Santiago Bernabeu, when he won a league title in 1997.
“The Bernabeu is a sanctuary, the responsibilities were enormous,” he said.
“Real Madrid is the team that has stayed in my heart the most because I had to build it by bringing in players who you thought could make a difference.
“I had four 20-year-olds in the first team, I brought in Seedorf from Sampdoria and Roberto Carlos for the defence.”
Relationships in football
The 76-year-old veteran was also keen to talk about his relationship with players.
“No player in particular has ever disrespected me,” Capello said.
“Of course we could talk and argue, but I would not have accepted any other behaviour.
“I’m not a sergeant, I’m sorry I’ve been labelled like that.”
Capello also shared his thoughts on playing styles and the evolution of footballers.
“What is beauty for me in football? Scoring after three passes, for example,” Capello said.
“Beauty is also getting the result depending on the players you have at your disposal.
“Beauty is also the sudden genius of players like Messi, for example.
“Two players who embody beauty: Paolo Maldini and Franco Baresi, because they transformed difficulties into easy things.
“They had personality and they transmitted it to the crowd, they made an impact.”
