Paolo Rossi believes Roma captain Francesco Totti “has been the strongest in Italy for the last 20 years”.
Er Pupone will celebrate his 40th birthday next week, and the 1982 World Cup hero spoke about the Lupi legend on his own 60th birthday.
“Totti has been the strongest in Italy for the last 20 years,” Rossi told Corriere della Sera.
“Edin Dzeko? Until a month ago he was seen as a donkey, now he’s referred to as a champion. I don’t think he’s either of those, but he’s a top striker.
Paolo Rossi believes Roma captain Francesco Totti “has been the strongest in Italy for the last 20 years”.
Er Pupone will celebrate his 40th birthday next week, and the 1982 World Cup hero spoke about the Lupi legend on his own 60th birthday.
“Totti has been the strongest in Italy for the last 20 years,” Rossi told Corriere della Sera.
“Edin Dzeko? Until a month ago he was seen as a donkey, now he’s referred to as a champion. I don’t think he’s either of those, but he’s a top striker.
“The support from Totti can make the difference.”
Rossi then discussed some more modern players, and was asked for his favourite striker in Serie A.
“Paulo Dybala, because he’s fresh, spontaneous and correct on the pitch which is good to see. He also seems like a good lad, a good example.
“As for Gonzalo Higuain, I think [Max] Allegri is looking for a certain balance, not to revolutionise a team which has already won a lot.
“He handled [Paul] Pogba, [Alvaro] Morata and Dybala well. Higuain isn’t a kid, but he had to get into condition at the start too.
“Is Mauro Icardi better than him? No, I don’t think he is. He has to prove that he has the right consistency year-in year-out.
“Icardi is very strong, but you have to take into account all the goals Higuain has scored in recent years.
“As for Carlos Bacca, he reminds me of Pippo Inzaghi. He’s a player who lives to score goals. Maybe you never see him, but he’s always there at the right time.
“Should Mario Balotelli return for Italy? We have to wait to see if he has consistency. If he doesn’t find that, don’t call him.
“This is a test of maturity for him, if he succeeds then fine. If not he’ll end up on the back-burner and he’ll be remembered for a wasted career, for what he could have been and wasn’t.”
Rossi shares a birthday with rock & roll legend Bruce Springsteen and Italian singer Gino Paoli, does he ever feel like an artist?
“I was just a footballer, an artist of the ball in a sense, but it’s not the same thing.”