Monday 24 July 2017 15:50, UK
Former Italy forward Antonio Cassano looks set to leave Hellas Verona just a week after abandoning his brief foray into retirement to commit to the newly-promoted Serie A club.
Earlier this month, the 35-year-old signed for Verona as a free agent following his departure from Sampdoria, but on July 18, following eight days of pre-season training, he revealed he was planning to retire due to family concerns.
Later that day, however, he announced he had reversed his decision and was looking forward to a "fantastic season" with the Gialloblu, who finished second in Serie B last term.
But the tale took another twist on Monday when Verona president Maurizio Setti said the former Roma and Real Madrid striker was missing his family in the south of Italy and wanted to quit the northern club to be with them.
He told ANSA.it: "The guy is not right in his head, even though he is in very good shape physically and athletically.
"From a professional point of view, I cannot blame him for anything because he cannot be happy and bubbly in the squad when he wants to be at home. He has his ups and downs, he speaks then he is silent.
"It's a shame because he was doing some good things."
However, it appears he is not retiring this time around, and released a statement on his wife's Twitter page to clarify his current position.
"I'm not going to leave football, I just do not feel like I can continue with Hellas Verona," he wrote. "I'm physically well as I showed in the 15 days of training but I'm mentally not stimulated to continue in this club."
Cassano made his breakthrough as a teenager with hometown club Bari before joining then-reigning Serie A champions Roma in 2001. An ill-fated move to Real followed and he was soon back in Italy with Sampdoria.
In the last decade, he has played for AC Milan, their city rivals Inter, and Parma before re-signing for Sampdoria two years ago. He also won 39 Italy caps, scored 10 international goals and was a key player for the Azzurri at Euro 2012.
