Malagò on Roma ties, Totti and his Lazio-linked picks for national youth teams
FIGC president Giovanni Malagò has said no Roma shareholder or owner has ever proposed he become club president, although he is often asked about it by journalists and friends. Speaking to Il Messaggero, he said he appreciates the new direction at Roma but has always been content with his own path, first at Coni and now at the Federation. Asked whether he would leave the FIGC if Roma called, Malagò was categorical: "Absolutely not. For me there is a sacred principle: carrying out the commitments you have taken on and keeping your word." The interview also touched on Francesco Totti, whom Malagò described as one of the people he is most attached to, "almost a family member". He said he would not comment on Totti's relationship with Roma, but understood how hard it is to accept a purely symbolic role. Any role at the Federation, he added, would have to reflect Totti's abilities. Asked about a possible national team role for Totti, Malagò replied: "I'll think about it, never say never." Malagò was also questioned about his choice of two Lazio symbols, Ciro Immobile and Giuseppe Signori, for the national youth teams, given that he openly describes himself as a Roma fan. He defended his position, saying he does not deny his family's history. His father was a board member and then three-time vice-president of Roma, contributing to two Scudetti under Dino Viola and Franco Sensi. Malagò said he followed the club as a child and sees no reason to hide his allegiance, which he considers hypocritical to conceal. He pointed to Prince William supporting Aston Villa and Barack Obama openly backing the Chicago Bulls as examples. Malagò said many of his closest friends are Lazio fans, as is his partner Elena. However, he said that when holding an institutional post, loyalties must give way to impartiality. He said he called Immobile as soon as the striker retired, considering him the greatest Italian striker of recent years. On Signori, Malagò said he had endured a painful and unjust ordeal. "All the great one-club legends are a heritage of our football," he said.
