Former captain Francesco Totti has spoken again about his bond with Roma, saying he would one day like to return to Trigoria, and has assessed the club's chances of challenging for the Scudetto under Gian Piero Gasperini. Speaking on the programme Shasha Sport, Totti looked back over key moments of his career, from turning down Real Madrid to his farewell to football.
Asked what Roma still means to him, Totti said: "For me Roma is everything, above all the Roma as a club, as well as the city. It has given me a huge amount and I have given a lot to it. That is why, as you know, I always say that certain things are done together, not alone."
On leaving Trigoria, he said: "It was my home. I lived there for longer than I lived in my own house. I grew up there and I stayed for over thirty-five years. I arrived when I was twelve years old. For me, going to Trigoria was like coming home. I never imagined that one day the moment to leave would come."
Recalling his last match at the Olimpico, he said: "It was a historic, special day. Beautiful to live through, but at the same time painful, because it marked the end of a career, the end of a dream. I went round the stadium and saw all the people, from the youngest to the oldest: everyone was crying."
On turning down Real Madrid, Totti admitted: "At that moment, I did have some doubts. But in the end, as I have always said, my love for Roma, for the city and for the club, which I carry in my heart, pushed me to decide to stay. I felt it was right, that the best choice was to remain with that team."
He also credited Carlo Mazzone with his development. "I think he was the one who helped me most to mature. He taught me many things about football and above all he knew how to manage me when I was still very young."
On this season's title race, Totti said: "I think they have the potential to do something important. Probably one or two signings would be needed to strengthen the squad and make it a real Scudetto contender, a team capable of dreaming of the title. The club is working very well, the coach is a great technician and the team, in my opinion, is strong."
Looking ahead to the Champions League, he added: "In the Champions League you have to be more prepared, have superior physical condition and an even better equipped squad. You have to be ready because you face opponents who are often stronger than you, always competitive and used to playing at European level."
