Football in China begins to return to normality

"We are starting to go out and do training," Cannavaro said in a conversation on social media with former Spanish goalkeeper Iker Casillas.

"The first day was very strange, the players were afraid to get close. I took off my mask to tell them that we have done a quarantine and we are ready to train, to try to have a normal life," he commented.

In Guangzhou, the former Italian footballer said, "little by little life is returning to normal," although all kinds of measures are being taken to prevent a new outbreak of the virus. "Every time we enter a public place, they take your temperature. They give you hand sanitizer everywhere," he added.

"When entering the sports city, they disinfect even the car. This virus makes you think a lot and changes the way you go to a restaurant or a bar now. There are almost no Europeans anymore because the government has closed the entry for everyone. My family has stayed in Naples and I would like to see them, but this is the key to killing the virus and they have been clear about it. They have done it very well," he opined.

That is why, Cannavaro asks Europe to look at the path marked by China against COVID-19.

"It is very important for all Europeans who are fighting to kill this virus to see it. It is something positive for everyone. In Italy and Spain, when the virus started, it was thought to be just a flu and cities should have been closed on the first day. Many people are dying," he lamented.

His prediction is that, despite having started training, the competition will not return in Chinese football until July. "The government has said that sports will not open for months. It is clear that before starting, we have to kill this virus," he insisted.

With three more years of contract signed, Cannavaro only thinks about staying in China, although he already feels prepared to train in the elite.

"I am improving as a coach. I reached the Champions League with a team that I took over in the Second Division and now I am gaining experience in a big team because, when I return to Europe, people will demand a lot from me because of my name. Now I am ready as a coach, I have my system and my method. I am ready to train in Europe," he said.