Fabio Cannavaro: “Bellingham is the fittest player in the world”

Former Real Madrid and Napoli center back, Fabio Cannavaro, will be at the Santiago Bernabeu tonight to commentate on the game for Prime. It will be the first time the former Ballon d’Or winner steps foot in the newly renovated Santiago Bernabeu. In an interview with Diario AS prior to the match, the Italian spoke of both teams and his excitement at stepping foot in the new Bernabeu.

The New Santiago Bernabeu: “It is the first time that I will be inside the stadium, that for me is something very important. The feeling of entering the Bernabeu is on another level. I played a friendly match there since I left, but since the construction started it’s the first time I’ve gone. They told me I’m going to hallucinate. It is spectacular. I have my children with me and I am going to take them to see the museum”.

Being a defender at Real Madrid: “At Madrid, you suffer more... it is not easy for a defender. You have to cover a lot of space. If there is not good pressure from the midfielders, if there is not good pressure from the forwards, or quick ball recoveries then that can affect the defenders. Many times the defenders are hand in hand with the forwards.”

Alaba recent struggles: “He has the character to go up again. This can happen, you know that I also suffered for several months there, then I had the strength to get up and continue. I like all the defenders at Madrid because they are fast players, who know how to suffer. Despite the injuries, Madrid as a whole is a great team.”

Standards of Real Madrid: “It is not easy to play for Madrid, when you do it two or three years in a row it is a lot. That’s why if we think about Pepe or Ramos, who have won everything and have played at the club for more than ten years, it is because they are of another level.”

Bellingham’s impact: “He is the fittest player in the world. He is the player who has integrated best and fastest into a team. It has been impressive. He has been amazing to me. That guy entered the locker room and banged on the table saying, here I am, I’m in charge here. He impresses me.”