Antonio Cassano defends Luciano Spalletti and says Francesco Totti ‘will be forgotten in 20 years’ as ‘only Leo Messi, Diego Maradona, Johan Cruijff are eternal.’
Roma fans chanted Totti’s name and continued to blame Luciano Spalletti when the Tuscan tactician returned to the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday to face the Giallorossi.
Cassano, a former Roma striker, defended the Napoli tactician and surprisingly attacked his former teammate.
“Those boos against Spalletti are a shame. He did amazing things in Rome and he loved the club,” Cassano said during the Twitch show Bobo TV, hosted by former Italy striker Christian Vieri.
“For what? Because he made Totti retire? I go mad when I hear these things. Are you telling me that Totti retired because he didn’t play under Spalletti? I played in Rome, so I know what I am talking about. To me, it’s a scandal and I am sorry to say this because I had a great time in Rome.
“Spalletti had to make his choices, and when he returned, he qualified for the Champions League. Fans must think about Roma’s good, Spalletti didn’t deserve boos, but only praise. He didn’t deserve it.
“Totti will be forgotten in 20 years, only Messi, Maradona and Cruijff are eternal. De Rossi was the ‘Capitan Futuro’ but he’s been forgotten, I’ve never seen somebody who loves Roma as much as he. Totti loves Roma, De Rossi 100 times more.”
Cassano spent four years and a half in the capital, scoring 52 goals in 161 appearances.
He then moved to Real Madrid, where he remained for just one year and a half before returning to Serie A, joining Sampdoria.
He also played with Inter, Milan and Parma during his playing career before retiring in 2017.
The former striker scored 112 goals in 400 Serie A games.
It’s not the first time Cassano has made headlines with controversial statements. Last week he said Cristiano Ronaldo is not even among the top five players in football’s history.