Fab is a Uruguayan Zidane
Football Italia - November 1999
Cagliari's Fabian O'Neill is not the most talked about foreign star associated with the Italian game, but that could all change next season. Juventus have moved early to secure the signing of the Uruguayan international. Replacing Zinedine Zidane, World Player of the Year, was never going to easy. But with Milan and Inter also interested in O'Neill, Juve Vice-President Roberto Bettega signed the star before the start of the current campaign to make sure they got their man.
Comparisons between O'Neill and Zidnae have become increasingly common in the last two years even though both play for different class sides. The Cagliari player may only be seen as a poor man's ZZ, but that may not be the case for much longer. And it's worth remembering that when Zizou arrived at Juventus three years ago he was no real star. He'd impressed with Bordeaux and France, but Zidanes' time in Italy has improved him to the stage where every major team in world football wants his services. Juventus very rarely buy fully established players, but they often create them. Who is to say that the scenario will not be repeated in the new millennium with Fabian?
The former Nacional Montevideo star has been in Italy since November 1995 where he has steadily improved. Last year he finally delivered the goods that he'd always promised. "For a South American player it's very difficult to get used to this sort of football," he explains. "I'm very pleased because year after year I have been making big improvements." O'Neill knew when he signed for Cagliari that he would be playing virtually in a weekly shop window. Now, after grafting hard in the Sardinian's midfield, he can now realise his dream of playing for one of the greatest teams in the world.
"I've played for four seasons in Italy after arriving as a youngster, with only the experience of Uruguayan football. That first season was terrible, the second had its ups and downs, the third was better and the fourth gave me the popularity and security which I've never had before."
Back in his native country O'Neil is known as the Uruguayan Zidane and is now establishing himself as a crucial part of Daniel Passarella's improving side. In a recent friendly against Costa Rica the player scored once and supplied two assists in a 5-4 victory. It was crucial for him to impress the new boss. "I'm satisfied with what I produced and in Uruguay they now consider me an important player." O'Neill can play as the creative brain behind the front two strikers as he did on a number of occasions last season when then Cagliari striker Roberto Muzzi claimed that O'Neill was his very own Zidane. However, O'Neill's talent doesn't stop there. He's more than capable of playing deeper in the midfield and making challenges when his team is shy of possession. "In Cagliari I've learned how to do everything and if Zidane stays in Turin next season I can even play behind him and become more of a defensive midfielder," he explains. Oscar Tabarez backed his compatriot up on that particular argument before his own dismissal as Cagliari Coach a few weeks into the season. "Fabian does things that Zidane doesn't recognise. One is how to play as a defensive player. He has the technical ability, the character and the physical presence."
However, the Uruguayan's off-the-field character was severely questioned earlier this year when he was involved in a hit and run incident. Instead of seeing to the injured he drove off in a state of shock. Later the Uruguayan went to confess to club President Massimo Cellino who reported the incident to the authorities. "I went through hell," O'Neill recalled. "Five minutes after the accident I realised the enormity of what I had done." He's expected to be punished, but imprisonment is not likely. It would be cruel to remember Fabian's Cagliari days by this unfortunate incident, but the player has one full season left to give his all to the fans who adore him: "I want the fans to have good memories of me when I leave Sardinia. As for my transfer to Juventus, I will think about that only at the end of this season. For the moment I have to worry about saving Cagliari from relegation." That's one thing. Replacing Zinedine Zidane at Juve is something just as complicated. Over to you Fabian.
