Roma legend Francesco Totti snubbed moves to Milan and Real Madrid, but reveals the Merengues are the only club he could have played for, had he left the Giallorossi.
The former Italy striker spent his entire career in Roma, winning one Scudetto, two Coppa Italia and two Italian Supercups.
As widely known he had many chances to move elsewhere during his playing career, but he always opted to remain in Rome due to his love for the club and the city.
Totti, now 45, spoke to The Guardian about his career and why he never wanted to leave Roma.
“I started out in different times. A different football,” Totti said.
“A football made of love, of affection toward fans. Playing for the team I always supported, it was a lot easier for me to make this choice.
“Twenty-five years in one team is no small thing, and being the captain, being one of the most important players, you always need to measure up. But to make a comparison between my time and today, it’s difficult.
“Today it’s more business. You go where you can make more money. And that’s fair enough, no?”
The first time he had a chance to leave the Giallorossi was when he was only 12-year-old. Milan director Ariedo Braida knocked on his door to persuade him to join the Rossoneri.
The Diavoli had just won the Scudetto and were very much admired by the young Totti. They were “the most exciting team I’d ever seen, the only one I fantasised about playing in,” he said.
Totti was only a kid at that time, so what if his parents had decided to let him join Milan?
“The decisions were always made by me, with my own head,” Totti revealed.
“Often your parents will give you advice. And it’s right to listen to them. But then, in the end, being so young, I knew I had time and a future in front of me.”
Real Madrid made an attempt to sign him in 2006, a few weeks after Italy’s World Cup triumph.
“Of course I thought about it,” the Roma legend said.
“Let’s say that there were quite a few days in which we had one foot in and one foot out. Then, I’ve said, often and truthfully, that the choice to stay with Roma was made from the heart. In those moments, when you feel like this, you can’t walk away.
“Real Madrid were the only other team that I could have gone to play for. The only team it could have been, I think.
“An experience in a different country could have been something beautiful for everyone. For my family. For me.”
The greatest privilege of my work, I think, is getting to sit down with the people who make sport magic and hear what makes them tick. So it was a treat to hear from Francesco @Totti about Rome, destiny, and growing up "on the same street" as Gigi Buffon: https://t.co/GAhtNhNmdS
— Nicky Bandini (@NickyBandini) October 9, 2021