Totti
Former Italy striker Francesco
Totti on Thursday said accepting the end of a legendary footballing career was
tough.
He told newsmen that “at the
beginning, I was talking to myself like a madman, I’m injured, I’m suspended,
I’ll be back in a kit soon, though I’ve got used to it now.”
Totti said he struggled with
switching off from a routine of “waking up early, having breakfast and then going
to training, like a machine.
“Now I have to plan my days.
The impact has not been easy, though I still train every day to let off a bit
of steam and to stay fit.
“If I let myself go, I’ll go
up to 300 kilogrammes, for now, I’ve put on at most a couple.”
The 41-year-old hung up his
boots in May, breaking down in tears after a 3-2 home win against Genoa that
sealed his 25-year playing career with Roma, his boyhood club.
He has no regrets at turning
down offers from Real Madrid, the Emirates and the United States.
“I would have made lots of
money, but I would have ruined a 25-year-old love affair with Roma,’’ he said.
Totti said that out of current
stars he prefers Lionel Messi to Cristiano Ronaldo, and singled out tennis
champion Roger Federer as his sporting hero, who “does not even sweat when he
plays.”
If Roma, currently in fourth
position, do not win the league this season, Totti said he fancied Serie A
leaders Napoli, because he liked the idea of the Scudetto going to a southern
Italian club.
He also said that starting out
a new career as a coach was not a “priority now,” aside from following the
football career of his 12-year-old son, Cristian.
“I let him do his thing and I
don’t say anything to him. In about three or four years, I’ll see what he’s
truly made of,’’ Totti said.
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