FantAntonio retires and that has hit everybody, especially those who have always wished him the best. Cesare Prandelli might actually be the only coach who's always believed in him, always ready to give him a hand. The former Italy national team coach has also done it in La Repubblica:
"I think that's it's a very honest decision, that corroborates everything I've always thought about the man" - says Prandelli - "Antonio is bound to his owns, to his family. Taking a decision like this one, in that moment of the year, I'm sure everybody has respected it: Verona's fans, but also the president and the whole club. He didn't want to stay in a place without the right feeling to stay, the right stimuli. I'm convinced it's been a suffered decision but it's also dignified. He deserves a great applause".
It's not a "cassanata" for Prandelli: "Absolutely not. This a weighted decision of a mature man, that at 35 knows his priorities. I don't like it because he could have played more games and do well: Verona's fans and everyone who likes football won't like it either. We all know his story, we know well what he can do with a football. It's a bit harder since he retires after Totti, they've been teammates and friends, have played together and I had the pleasure to train them. Totti's story has moved Italy, these words are still in our minds: "Help me, I'm afraid". A sentence that will make youngsters think. Nobody's unbreakable".
Totti and Cassano, different situations: "There's something in common though. A need. Antonio can't stay without his family I think, and he's then preferred losing the money to get closer to Carolina and the children. A choice that, I repeat, believe is matured and weighted, proving the thickness he's got".
