Roma legend Paulo Roberto Falcao urged Francesco Totti to see out his playing career in Brazil. “He would’ve won the Ballon d’Or.”
Totti turns 40 in September and his contract expires in June, but he has already stated in no uncertain terms that he wants to continue playing.
This week he’ll meet with President James Pallotta to discuss the next step, which could mean leaving Roma for the first time in his career.
Roma legend Paulo Roberto Falcao urged Francesco Totti to see out his playing career in Brazil. “He would’ve won the Ballon d’Or.”
Totti turns 40 in September and his contract expires in June, but he has already stated in no uncertain terms that he wants to continue playing.
This week he’ll meet with President James Pallotta to discuss the next step, which could mean leaving Roma for the first time in his career.
“I only met Totti once, in the Olimpico locker room, in a testimonial match. We looked at each other and instinctively hugged. He told me: ‘Paulo, this is the first time.’
“He’s one of the greatest in Italian football history. Absolutely unique. He can play anywhere and would certainly have won the Ballon d’Or if Roma had won at least one Champions League trophy,” Falcao told Dagospia.
“I will only say the current problem has to be resolved with dialogue, for everyone’s benefit. This affair is damaging Roma and that is not right.
“Luciano Spalletti is a great Coach, I like him a lot, while Totti is Roma history. They have to open up a dialogue.
“Francesco needs to be happy with his decision. He has earned that right. Only he can decide whether to retire, nobody else can intervene.
“I stopped at almost 33 years of age, but I would’ve continued if I had realised that I was remotely useful on the field or in the locker room. Today football has changed, careers last longer.
“My knee was fine, I just stopped because I wasn’t enjoying it anymore. I only had a slight thought when Diego Maradona called me in 1986, as he wanted me at Napoli. We didn’t seal the deal and I was just too Romanista inside to join another Serie A club.”
If Totti is to continue playing, the most likely destination is Major League Soccer in America or Canada, but the current Coach of Brazilian club Sport has another suggestion.
“Brazil would be a great ending to his career. Brazilian football adores technical players like him. I do hope he finds the right situation with Roma, but if that didn’t happen, I’d tell Francesco to come with me from May to December for the next tournament.
“I’d give him a piece of the field, probably the penalty area, and tell him he is the dominator there. Naturally, he’d get to wear the Number 10 shirt.”