Former Real Madrid and Juventus star Fabio Cannavaro has recalled the day he first saw FC Barcelona's Lionel Messi in action.
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The former Italy captain played for Napoli, Parma, Inter Milan and Juve before moving to Real in the summer of 2006.
Cannavaro remembers the day he saw Messi playing for the first time, and revealed that he immediately thought the Argentine would become a star.
"I remember Messi's first game in a friendly against Juve. He was already a knockout, you could tell he would be a phenomenon," he told Spanish radio station Cadena SER.
"Capello wanted to take him to Juventus, but Barca refused to let him go. Capello said to me: 'Did you see that guy?' And I said, 'Sure, coach. He's going to be one of the best of all time.'"
The World Cup winner also shared his thoughts on recent events at his former Spanish club.
"This Real Madrid lacks continuity. Ancelotti did a really good job with the team and won a Champions League. It's not easy when there's a change of coach and a new system."
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Cannavaro made 118 appearances for Los Blancos, scoring just one goal.
Do you think Messi's career would have played out the same way if he had joined any other club? Have your say in the comments section below.
