Tuesday, November 28, 2006

Mijatovic :"I wasn't surprised that Cannavaro won the Golden Ball"

Real Madrid's Sporting Director wanted to be present when Cannavaro was awarded the Golden Ball, an honour very hard to win, even more so for a defender. "It didn't come as a surprise to me being that I know a little about the football world," said Pedja Mijatovic to Realmadrid.com and Realmadrid TV.

The Golden Ball indicates that things are on the up and up this season.We are very happy because we are here with our player who was named the best in the world. It's very important to him and us as well, because he will help us a lot in achieving our objectives. And let's not forget about his teammates, because he is a player that contributes a lot. And he's a defender, something rarely seen.He's had a very good year. He won the League with Juventus and played a great World Cup. It didn't come as a surprise to me being that I know a little about the football world. It's very complicated for a defender to win a title like this one.What other players could have won the Golden Ball?I don't want to think about other possible winners. I wasn't surprised [Cannavaro] won looking back on the great year he had. After winning the World Cup, it was obvious they were looking for someone on the Italian national team. Henry and Raúl have always come close. I hope a Madridista wins it next year. It would show that we won everthing.

Being 33, it's amazing how eager he is still is to play and win.He's a great professional. He lives for football and age for a player like him means nothing. That's very important to us. He is still very hungry and he wants to win the Club's tenth Champions League, something out fans really want. We also want to win the League. We're on the right track, and I think we will have a title in hand when all is said and done.

Ramón Calderón on Cannavaro

The President of Real Madrid attended Realmadrid.com and RealmadridTV after posing next to Cannavaro with the Golden Ball. Very satisfied with the award, and more importantly, with the player, Calderón stated, "He's a great person and an adorable human. He's an exceptional player."

Cannavaro brought up the name Real Madrid several times during his press conference. A class act. He's an exceptional player and this recognition is evidence of that. He's a great person and an adorable human. I have gotten to know him over the three months he's been with us and he is optimism, happiness, enthusiasm, and desire to build a winning team. Everything that makes him a great person. It's we who should be thanking him for coming to Real Madrid. He had several options and he chose us.

He also brought up other Madridistas, Hierro and Ronaldo.I really enjoyed listening to him. It's true that Hierro is often left out, but Cannavaro mentioned him. We still remember Madridistas like Hierro who moved around the box with those long passes. It was a nice detail and very important for me. And Ronaldo as well. [Cannavaro] told me he was impossible to mark when in form. Both reminders were very nice.

This Golden Ball could be the start of a great season for Real Madrid.I am sure of it. We did a great job signing a great coach and allowing him to bring in footballers that put us in a position to win titles. Cannavaro is only missing the Champions League. He has told me he wants to win it this year. It would cap off a perfect year for him. I really hope that's the case. It won't be easy, but the team is finding itself little by little.

Cannavaro is 33, has won virtually everything, and still has the desire to win a lot more.It's as important as his sporting value. He's an exceptional player in the human aspect, on the bench, on the pitch, in training. His happiness is contagious within the squad and I think he will be a very important player for us.