Lilian Thuram has urged Juventus fans to get behind the return of Fabio Cannavaro from Real Madrid. Thuram was in Turin yesterday to visit Juve and see ex-teammates and officials.

The Frenchman said: "The people who criticise the return of Cannavaro may not understand what it means to be a footballer. A player always wants to play at high levels and three years ago this was not possible.

"It was also a good move for Juve, because it has gained a lot of money, it would be stupid not to sell him and stupid on the part of Cannavaro not to go to Real.

"If now Juve has recalled him, it is because they know that he is a trustworthy person and always does good work."