Cassano: ‘Pogba, Balotelli are lucky’

By Football Italia staff

Antonio Cassano believes Paul Pogba and Mario Balotelli are overrated - “they’re lucky to have a very good agent”.

The forward gave a long interview to today’s edition of Gazzetta dello Sport, and after discussing his future the Italian international focused on the current state of the game.

“Do I see a new Cassano?” FantAntonio considered.

“No, Cassano is unique, a precious gem, rare. Technically though I see myself in [Lorenzo] Insigne.

“[Patrik] Schick has my shooting, I knew it right away. We’re different players as he’s more of a striker, but he’s a phenomenon.

“Serie A? Juventus will continue to win because they’re good and mentally strong. The level has dropped though.

“In the late 90s you had the Seven Sisters. The seventh, Fiorentina, had [Manuel] Rui Costa, Edmundo and [Gabriel] Batistuta.

“That’s why I can keep playing for a long time and make the difference, it’s not time to stop.

“I’d tell Francesco Totti not to give up, he can still get 10-12 goals in the League, but when you’re not playing much it’s hard for anyone to do well.

“He and I are the last heroes of a certain generation of forwards. He was my best strike partner.

“When did I feel strongest? At Euro 2012 and in my first spell with Samp from 2007 to 2012. I was very strong, I felt almost invincible.

“Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo? Messi is [Roger] Federer, Ronaldo is [Rafael] Nadal: two champions with different styles. Did you see what Messi did in the Clasico on Sunday? Barcelona are still a team of monsters.

“They lost to Juventus? I said no to Juve four times and I don’t regret it. The first was when I was at Bari and I chose Roma, then twice when [Alessio] Secco was sporting director and [Giuseppe] Marotta tried to get me too.

“I don’t want to offend anyone because they’re strong, but they choose players who always go straight on the same track. I go where I feel.

“Juve can win the treble, but if they face Real Madrid in the Champions League final I think they’re underdogs in a one-off game.

“Three over-rated players? Pogba, James Rodriguez and Balotelli.

“Is Pogba really worth €120m? Not for me, no. Rodriguez €80m? No. If he’s worth that, how much would [Andres] Iniesta have been worth at his age?

“As for Balotelli, I wish the best for Mario and he’s doing pretty well in France but both he and Pogba have had great fortune in life: they’re managed by a very good agent, Mino Raiola.

“He’s given both of them incredible opportunities.

“The three strongest players? Messi is the best. Always. Then Iniesta. Then Xavi along with me. I’m still worth the podium now.”

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