Antonio Cassano revisits failed Real Madrid spell and shares controversial opinion on Vinicius: ‘I should have gone to prison’

Antonio Cassano, a former Real Madrid forward, has offered a critical view of Vinicius Jr. while reflecting on his own troubled time at the Santiago Bernabeu. Cassano, who joined Real Madrid from AS Roma in 2006, admitted that his behavior prevented him from achieving his full potential at the club. He also spoke about his relationship with former manager Fabio Capello, who he now holds in high regard, despite their disagreements during his time at both Roma and Real Madrid.

Cassano recalled playing alongside legendary players such as Ronaldo, Zidane, and Guti during his time at Real Madrid. He expressed his happiness about being part of the famous "Galacticos" team, stating that it was a source of pride for him. When asked if he had wasted his opportunity at Madrid, Cassano admitted, "Absolutely. I should have gone to prison (laughs) because my behavior was rubbish. I liked eating and going out, rather than training. I was ten kilos overweight. It was all my fault."

However, Cassano did praise Guti, comparing him to the other greats in his dressing room and suggesting that Guti could have won multiple Ballon d'Or awards had he had the right mindset. He acknowledged that Guler, currently playing for Real Madrid, has yet to reach Guti's level, noting that Guler is "a fantastic talent" but has not yet been playing at his full potential. Cassano still harbors admiration for Guler, but believes that Rodrygo, if fit, should start ahead of him.