Totti explains decision

Roma legend Francesco Totti has discussed the reasons he decided to stop representing the national team following the historic Azzurri World Cup win in Germany last year.

“When you play every three days, you need rest and have to take something off the schedule. I chose to remove the Azzurri, although I do consider it a very important honour to wear that jersey,” said Totti

“My conscience is clear. I am not trying to distance myself or think I’m better than anyone else because I won the World Cup. I have always talked the matter over with the Coach and staff. I explained that it’s not easy to play when you have a metal plate with 11 screws in your ankle.”

“The Nazionale shirt is very important to me. However, at this moment in time I cannot turn my back on Roma, so I preferred doing it this way. In any case, my first choice would always be Roma.”

He added: “I want to hit the 200 goal mark by the end of my career. There’s still five years ahead of me, so I hope to remain at this level. I won’t say I can score 20-25 goals per season, but a little something here and there,”

“My dream for Roma is to win the Champions League. I know the Final will be at the Olimpico in two years’ time, so it seems like destiny for us to gain our revenge on Liverpool. The same stadium, but with Totti upfront. I’d score two goals.”