Cabrini on today's heroes

February 11, 2000
Juventus Official Site

The great Antonio Cabrini, the unforgettable star of the Eighties, who now runs Punto Juve, teaching 6000 youngsters everything they need to know about football. During the summer the ex-Bianconero star looks after football clinics in the Republic of San Marino, which attracts 150 kids every week. But juventus.com wanted to speak to him on another matter.

A survey carried out by a major Italian radio network has revealed that 42% of children between 13 and 20 years of age want to become footballers. The reasons for this vary considerably, and are not restricted to a love of football (the reason given by 11% of interviewees). An astonishing 39% of those interviewed would like to become football stars so they can be successful with women, while 12% cite notoriety and the chance to sign autographs as their reason. The biggest idols of Italian youth are Gianluigi Buffon who picked up 26% of the vote and Alessandro Del Piero, just behind on 21%.

Antonio "Gorgeous" Cabrini had no choice but to comment on the issue, since a few years ago he would surely have topped a survey of this kind. "It certainly is strange looking at the result," he admitted. "The times have definitely changed. Footballers are celebrities now, but I'm convinced that many youngsters choose to pursue football as a career because of a love for the game."

Cabrini, talking on Juve's official radio magazine Hurrà Juventus, aired daily on Radio Veronica One, also commented on the form of Alessandro Del Piero who is still searching for his first League goal from open play. "It's normal that a lot is expected from him, as he is by now an established star. Having said that, we shouldn't forget the terrible injury he picked up. Personally, I'm not surprised that this season is a transitional one for him. In order to see the real Del Piero we still need to wait a month or two. His contribution to the Juve cause will nonetheless be important this season."
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