As he prepares to return to Juventus next season, Real Madrid defender Fabio Cannavaro insists he never betrayed the club by quitting when they were relegated two years ago.

Cannavaro, who will join Juve on a Bosman, said: "I understand that back then they expected a different type of behaviour on my part, but my move to Real Madrid was decided by the club.

"In fact my relationship with the new directors and the old players has remained very good in the last few years."

Cannavaro then turned to talk about Juventus' season and the possibility of Marcello Lippi returning to take charge of the team.

"The reality is far from what the newspapers write. I called Lippi to know how he was after his knee operation and I asked him about the possibility of returning to Juve.

"He didn't know anything about," Cannavaro explained. "Then again everyone is free to say what they want."