Francesco Totti and Luciano Spalletti spoke to the media after their long-awaited reunion to bury the hatchet. ‘In truth, we never argued’ and the ‘rapport was always beyond football.’
The pair had been close during Spalletti’s first tenure as Roma coach, then was blamed for pushing the captain towards retirement in 2017 and even painted as a villain in the television mini-series on Totti’s life.
Totti was nearing the end of his career and contract, frustrated at the lack of playing time, while the coach felt pressured by the fans and media every time he did not start the captain.
They started to give comments in interviews showing forgiveness and agreed to meet up at the Bambin Gesu children’s hospital when Italy made a planned visit.
“There could be no better opportunity to rediscover each other,” Spalletti told Sky Sport Italia.
“If we can give this moment to others, then it is even better. We do it not for ourselves, but for others. There were so many who were pleased at the idea of this rapprochement.
“Although deep down, in truth, we never argued. We had always respected each other. In an era of conflict, where us adults tend to argue often, finding ourselves here with the children and showing them this hug feels like a message for a brighter future.”
Totti also spoke to the reporters after the embrace with his old coach, who of course was appointed to the Italy job in September.
“The hug with Spalletti is secondary, it is above all a special day for the children we came here to see. We didn’t need to say anything to each other, because our rapport was always beyond football. All we ever needed was a glance, and it is all summed up in that embrace.”