Antonio Cassano’s recent health problems have shocked and sadenned everyone all over the peninsula and the world after the attacker was found to have a dangerous heart defect which will now rule him out of action for at least the next six months.
However, when the Milan man does make his return to football after this lay-off just how will it go for him because prior to his collapse after the game against Roma, Cassano had been playing as well as we have seen him at any stage of his career and was enjoying a rebirth at the San Siro.
If one thing the colourful career of Cassano has taught us though it is that when faced with adversity and controversy, he usually comes out of the other side stronger and better than before.
Things did not go well for Cassano under the strict management of Fabio Capello who preferred each of his players to work together for the good of the team.
If you know a thing or two about ‘the jewel of Bari’ though it is that he does not always cope well under this kind of tough coaching as he is very much a player who does what he wants when he wants.
However, despite this he remained a hero to the Roma faithful (also in spite of frequent run-ins with club idol Francesco Totti) and his undoubted talent earned him a move to Real Madrid.
Once more, the Italy striker overcame problems he encountered in Spain after failing to settle in the country’s capital and not producing his best on the field.
He came out of that situation determined to prove his worth upon returning to his homeland and that he most certainly did when he joined Sampdoria.
A successful loan spell with the Blucerchiati earned him a permanent move to the Marassi and his partnership with Giampaolo Pazzini during his time in Genoa was one of the most outstanding and prolific in the country.
In fact, so effective was their goalscoring and general play that they managed to fire the club into the Champions League and bring them to within a whisker of qualification for the group stages of the competition.
Seemingly on a mission to sabotage his career though, the forward made some ill-advised comments regarding club President Riccardo Garrone after failing to attend an awards ceremony and the man in charge refused to allow someone even as gifted as his star player to appear for the first team again.
It would seem then that the career of Cassano would be finished but yet again he showed that he will always come out of the other side with a wide smile and seemingly untouchable reputation.
Of all the teams that swooped for the volatile talent it was to be AC Milan who secured his services and the Rossoneri went on to win the Scudetto that season with Antonio in their ranks.
It certainly does seem from this evidence that if Antonio Cassano were to fall into the river Po, he would emerge with a salmon in his mouth.
Do not bet against him doing the exact same when he overcomes this latest career hurdle as he has done so many times in the past.
He remains one of the most talented players of his generation that Italy has produced and will be a major factor in the Azzurri’s bid for Euro 2012 success next summer.
Should he recover in time to have a sufficient impact at the competition, he should undoubtedly return straight into the squad and Cesare Prandelli’s plans because a player of his class will be the difference between success and failure.
Follow Padraig Whelan on Twitter @PWhelan88 and be sure to check out his blog as well.
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