Totti: 'I decided on Real Madrid...'

By Football Italia staff

Francesco Totti has no career regrets after a lifetime dedicated to Roma, despite considering Real Madrid. “What more could I ask for?”

The captain turned 40 last month, revisit our special on the Giallorossi legend with new and archive pieces on his impact both on and off the field.

“What is Roma for me? Everything, everything,” Totti told the Corriere dello Sport newspaper.

“It’s the city, and not just because I am Roman, but because I consider it the most beautiful city in the world. It has the sea, mountains, monuments, sun and the passion of the Roman people.

“Roma is also football. I have always supported this club. Those colours were in my room and in my dreams from my childhood. I wore this jersey for 25 years, the only one, and I wear the captain’s armband. What more could I ask for in life?”

However, Totti came very close to leaving his beloved Lupi in 2003.

“Fabio Capello was there with the Sensi family, but it was a very odd time between me and the club, as some things weren’t going the right way. I had asked for some specific things and they seemed to ignore my expectations.

“Real Madrid were pushing at all costs for me to come and play for them. It was the only club in the world that I would’ve, albeit with sadness in my heart, left Roma for.

“I did think about it very seriously. However, fortunately, my family, friends and wife helped me to understand many things and I remained here. I consider that a great thing.

“Would I have gone? I can say no now, but at that moment I was pretty decided. It wasn’t going to be leaving for a normal team, but for the best in the world.”

Totti even reveals he financially contributed to the club when the Sensi family was struggling to keep it afloat.

“It’s something not everyone knows, as I wanted to help the Sensi family for all they had done. I am happy it didn’t really hit the headlines or get talked about, because I did it for the team, the colours I always loved and for the Sensi family, who treated me like a son.

“In my view when there is respect, there is everything. They always respected me and I tried to give something back, for what I could.”

How does the future look in Totti’s mind?

“I don’t know what the future holds, but I know it’ll be another life and another interesting career. I hope to remain for ever at Roma. That is my desire and I want to help the club that I spent most of my life with. I’ll be truly happy if I can help Roma.

“Would I like to be a Coach? On the one hand yes, but at this moment I am not thinking about it, because with my character I’d probably struggle to control a group. However, seeing all my former teammates who have just stopped playing and taken up that career path, I get the feeling something does click within you. Maybe it’ll click within me as well.

“Maybe I’ll change my personality and way of dealing with many things.”

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