Football saved me from being a criminal- Cassano

The Sampdoria ace unveiled an autobiography, revealing a number of outrageous facts about his footballing career and personal life.

Cassano declared that his Serie A debut with Bari, when he scored a magnificent goal against Inter Milan in December 18th 1999, was a turning point to his life.

"Without that turning point, I would have been a delinquent," the 26-year-old said.

"Football saved me from being a criminal. I have never worked a day in my life, because I don’t know how to do anything.

"I would say I have lived 17 years as a poor man and 9 as a millionaire. I still have 8 more to go to offset that balance."

Coaches

The temperamental Italian made clear confessions regarding his numerous disputes with coaches throughout his nine-year career at top level.

Cassano fell out with Fabio Capello, Claudio Gentile, Luigi Del Neri, Luciano Spalletti, but his inaugural coach at Bari Eugenio Fascetti was the only one to come out unscathed from managing Cassano.

"Fascetti is the only one I never had a row with, I detested Gentile. I told Spalletti 'You are indeed coaching those incompetents you had at Udinese. This is your house, but it is also my house," he said.

"And to Capello, after he made me warm up with Ronaldo for the entire second half in Tarragona, in the locker room I told him ‘You are a worthless man, you’re as fake as Monopoly money.

"As for ex-Roma Coach Del Neri, I couldn’t understand a damn thing he was saying."

Totti rift

Fantantonio's antics reached Roma favorite Francesco Totti, whom he conflicted with during his spell with the Giallorossi.

The Azzurri duo were in a television show, but Cassano was upset as 'Totti took home 80% of the appearance fee'.

Speaking about his private life, Cassano said "Four girlfriends in 11 years is not a lot. To make up for that, I've also had other flings here and there. Let's say 600-700 women, some twenty of which were from the entertainment world!"