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Legend Marcos Cafu calls Carlo Ancelotti ‘the most Brazilian Italian in the world,’ expects Gennaro Gattuso to revive Italy, and gives his views on Max Allegri at Milan and Gian Piero Gasperini for Roma.
The former right-back was attending the Milano Football Week event in Milan, organised by La Gazzetta dello Sport, and spoke about quite a few different subjects.
Inevitably, the World Cup winner had to pass comment on the decision to hire former Rossoneri boss Ancelotti as the new coach of Brazil.
“It’s wonderful. Carletto is the most Brazilian Italian in the world,” smiled Cafu.
“Choosing him was a very important step, he has so much experience. I hope he will do very well. I already sent him a message to wish him well, but I warned him the media and fans are very demanding.”
Would he be prepared to join Ancelotti’s management staff in Brazil?
“It would be very pleasing, I am always ready for opportunities.”
Serie A is home to Cafu
Cafu spent most of his career in Serie A, so is continuing to keep an eye on the current Calcio landscape.
That includes changes of management at his two former clubs, with Allegri returning to Milan and Gasperini taking over from Claudio Ranieri at Roma.
“Allegri can bring the right grit, because Milan has always been a power in world football, but Allegri can provide a different spirit to the team. I hope Gasperini can do well, but there is a lot of pressure at Roma, it’s a passionate place to work.”
Milan are on the verge of securing 40-year-old Luka Modric as a free agent after he left Real Madrid.
“I think it’s an investment that could pay off. He can also bring a calm to the locker room, even if clearly he won’t be able to play every game,” added Cafu.
Inter were given a rude awakening in the Champions League Final when swept aside 5-0 by Paris Saint-Germain.
“When these things happen, as a player, you just can’t wait for it to end so you can go home. Nobody expected five goals, not even the most fanatical of PSG fans,” assured Cafu.
“It felt a bit like when Germany beat Brazil 7-1, the kind of match you get once every 100 years. I feel bad for Inter, they got it wrong in the one match where they really couldn’t do that.”
Cafu’s former Milan teammate Gennaro Gattuso is on track to become the new Italy coach after Luciano Spalletti was sacked, with 2026 World Cup qualification in doubt.
“Gattuso has the right grit for Italy. He is someone who can even grab players by the ear and drag them over, he is the right man. Italy can go to the World Cup.”
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The 'NFL all-time touchdown receptions leaders' quiz
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