Henry blast for Cannavaro
08 Dec 2006 - 10:45:14
Arsenal striker Thierry Henry has slammed Italy's World Cup winning captain and recipient of this year's Ballon d'Or Fabio Cannavaro for his cynical tactics.
France international Henry claims the Real Madrid defender deliberately targeted him during the World Cup final, which Italy won on penalties.
"In Berlin, Cannavaro put me out of the game in the first minute," claimed Henry.
"It is clear he did it deliberately and great defenders don't behave in this way.
"We were 50 metres from goal. I left the ball and he pretended that he didn't see me coming.
"He did the same thing with (Franck) Ribery during France-Italy at the Stade de France (Euro 2008 qualifier).
"For me a great defender must not play like this in such a big game - he values nothing.
"Great defenders are Laurent Blanc, Lilian Thuram, Paolo Maldini and Marcel Desailly, who were always really hard but correct."