Antonio Cassano, known for his undeniable talent and rebellious nature, has once again surprised the football world. On the podcast Viva el Fútbol, the Italian ex-player revealed his fascination with the style and philosophy of FC Barcelona—a feeling that, according to him, began in 2002 when he faced the Blaugranas with Roma in the Champions League.

"That’s when I understood their philosophy," Cassano said. "We played against them, won 3-0 with goals from Totti, Montella, and Tommasi, and then drew 1-1 in the return leg. That’s when I fell in love with them." Although his stint at Real Madrid didn’t go as expected, the former forward admits that his footballing heart was captivated by the Catalan club.

Thoughts on Barcelona and their unique style

Despite joining Real Madrid in 2006 as part of the 'Galácticos,' Cassano reflected on how his career might have unfolded if he had joined Barcelona instead. "Maybe I would’ve made more sacrifices for Barça. I knew they had Ronaldinho in my position, the Ballon d’Or winner, and they never came looking for me. But if I’d had the chance…” he shared with a hint of nostalgia, suggesting that Barcelona’s bold, attacking style would’ve been a better fit for his vision of football.

The Italian also shared his thoughts on Barça's recent 5-2 win over Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup, saying the scoreline could’ve been even more one-sided. “If Szczesny hadn’t been sent off, it could’ve ended 10-1. And not 10-2, because their second goal came right after the red card. Barça always plays to entertain the fans, and that’s what drives me crazy about them,” he said.

A controversial yet passionate legacy

With a career that included stints at clubs like Roma, Sampdoria, Milan, Inter, and Real Madrid, Antonio Cassano remains a controversial and passionate figure. While he never wore the Blaugrana colors, there’s no doubt that Barcelona left an indelible mark on his footballing heart.