Italy and Roma legend Francesco Totti says he can see similarities with the way Cristiano Ronaldo’s career is petering out. ‘I know what it feels like to be shoved to one side when you were at the apex.’
Ronaldo is currently without a club and training at the Real Madrid Valdebebas facilities after terminating his contract with Manchester United by mutual consent.
His career has been going on a downward trajectory since leaving Juventus for Manchester United and was left on the bench for some of the key Portugal matches at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
“When you look at the last few months that Ronaldo has had, it seems like reliving my own experience,” Totti told Twitch channel Bepi TV.
“I think he needs to be shown some respect. I know what it feels like to be shoved to one side when you were at the apex.”
Totti famously chose to retire rather than play for a club other than his beloved Roma, where he spent his entire playing career.
He did not feel ready to hang up his boots yet, but was increasingly pushed out by coach Luciano Spalletti and then not offered a new contract when his deal ran down.
One of the greatest achievements in Totti’s career was to win the 2006 World Cup with Italy.
“Winning the World Cup is something you carry with you for the rest of your life. I think the Italy side of 2006 would certainly have been at least in the top four at Qatar 2022.”
The Italy star also had his say on the eternal comparisons between Lionel Messi and Diego Armando Maradona.
“Maradona is football for me. Messi is the best player in the world right now, but he’s still beneath Diego.”