Fabio Capello shared an intriguing anecdote from his time at Real Madrid. The renowned Italian coach had the privilege of leading the “Los Blancos” on two occasions: during the 1996/97 and 2006/07 seasons, each lasting a year.
Capello reminisced about the immense responsibilities that came with the iconic Santiago Bernabeu stadium. He fondly recalled his first stint at Real Madrid, where he had the challenging task of building a brand-new team composed of players handpicked by himself. Notably, he introduced four young talents, aged around 20, into the first team. Additionally, he made strategic signings such as Clarence Seedorf from Sampdoria and Roberto Carlos to bolster the defensive line.
In both spells at the club, Capello successfully guided Real Madrid to championship titles, although his tenure would often come to an end shortly afterward due to various reasons. During his second tenure, Capello had the opportunity to work briefly with Ronaldo. However, the Brazilian star was sold during the winter transfer window, and Antonio Cassano was brought in as his replacement. Capello remains an advocate of this decision, which he believes contributed to reviving the winning spirit within the team. In fact, during January 2007, Ronaldo‘s departure marked the beginning of an impressive comeback for Real Madrid, as they managed to close a nine-point gap on Barcelona in the last ten matches.
Capello humorously recalled a conversation with Silvio Berlusconi, who inquired about Ronaldo. Capello candidly described Ronaldo‘s lack of enthusiasm for training, highlighting his penchant for parties and women. Capello advised against bringing Ronaldo to Milan, but to his surprise, the next day’s headlines announced the Brazilian’s transfer to the Italian club.
Furthermore, Capello, who retired from coaching in 2018, elaborated on his perception of the beauty of football. He finds beauty in scenarios such as scoring after a well-executed three-pass attack or achieving success with the players at hand. Capello appreciates displays of brilliance from players like Messi. However, he considers Paolo Maldini and Franco Baresi as epitomes of true beauty in the sport. Their exceptional character allowed them to make even the most challenging situations appear effortless, while effectively communicating with the fans and igniting their enthusiasm.
