Francesco Totti wants to end his Roma career with the Scudetto, but admits “it’s difficult because right now there’s a stronger team.”
The captain turns 40 in September and is expected to be in the final year of his playing career.
“Trigoria is my home, it’s where I grew up,” said Totti at a Q&A with fans.
Francesco Totti wants to end his Roma career with the Scudetto, but admits “it’s difficult because right now there’s a stronger team.”
The captain turns 40 in September and is expected to be in the final year of his playing career.
“Trigoria is my home, it’s where I grew up,” said Totti at a Q&A with fans.
“These have been 25 wonderful years between good and ugly moments, but I always tried to do my best and hold the Roma colours as high up as possible. At times I succeeded, at other times less. I am gratified by what I’ve done.”
A fan asked if Roma could win the Scudetto this season after five years of Juventus dominance.
“In all honesty, it’s difficult, because right now there’s a stronger team. We are all objective, then every one of us wants to win that ‘thing,’ but at this moment there is a stronger side out there.
“If someone said to be we’d win the Scudetto this year, I’d definitely stop. I have a contract for six years as a director, so if they don’t kick me out, then I’m staying.”
Totti joked with the crowd and commented on life in the training retreat.
“The best prank we played was on Philippe Mexes. He was afraid of toads, so one night at 11pm we snuck in his room and threw one in. He entered the room and went crazy, he wanted to jump out the window!
“Social media? No, I’m no use. If you do something, do it well, otherwise don’t bother. It was better in the days when we had to call people in phone boxes. Nowadays if you pick your nose for a second it’s immediately on Facebook and Twitter.
“I haven’t been to via del Corso for over 10 years. It’s not that I don’t want to go, but I’d end up standing there in Piazza del Popolo to sign autographs and take photos. If I brought a cardboard cut-out of myself, it’d be the same thing.
“In a way I’m happy, as I don’t have to go shopping with (wife) Ilary. I can send her on her own.”
Totti was asked what his pyjamas were like.
“I sleep nude. I like to be fresh in the morning. It takes time for me to wake up. I can’t stand pyjamas, not even a T-Shirt.”
Roma’s pre-season training retreat has been taken over by the fan chant for Norbert Gyomber. It involves singing ‘Gyomber’ in tune with YMCA by The Village People.
“Norbert is depressed,” revealed Totti. “He wasn’t expecting it and (Vasilis) Torosidis most of all makes fun of him. This song starts up in the morning, afternoon, evening, he can’t take it anymore, he’s going mad!
“You think I’m joking, but I’ll let you listen to something…”
Totti then took out his phone and played an audio file of Torosidis and Kevin Strootman singing the Gyomber chant.