Totti discusses Real Madrid admiration and hopes for Italy and Roma

In a latest interview, Roma and Italy legend Francesco Totti has spoken in regards to the admiration he has for Real Madrid and the compliments he has obtained through the years from its President Florentino Perez. 

Chatting with Spanish outlet Marca, Totti additionally revealed his hopes for his beloved Roma beneath Jose Mourinho, whereas additionally outlining the significance for Italy to qualify for the subsequent main tournaments. 

A recurring theme of Totti’s chat with Marca was how the sport has modified since he hung up his boots 5 years in the past. 

“Normally, I all the time like soccer, however it’s clear now that it’s a unique sport to the one which I performed,” he instructed the Spanish press. “In our time, there was extra group spirit, extra combating. Now we expect extra about physique. Clearly, the sport has modified.

The interviewer instructed Actual Madrid with their midfield of Jude Bellingham and Aurelien Tchouameni for example. “Sure, however they all the time have nice gamers, it’s regular,” Totti replied. 

“If we take into consideration the Actual Madrid of my time, that had Beckham, Roberto Carlos, Zidane, these gamers are on a unique stage. 

Marca additionally requested Totti about his iconic no. 10 shirt, and whether or not the quantity nonetheless holds the identical that means on the pitch. 

“Earlier than, the quantity 10 of a workforce was a extra essential determine. I wouldn’t say that it has change into extinct, however the 10 is now a quantity that’s identical to every other, with out as a lot significance within the workforce,” he instructed. 

Then, requested how he views the present Roma workforce, Totti replied: “I see it with ups and downs, however all the time beneath an incredible coach in José. I hope he can take the workforce as excessive as attainable.”

Marca then pressed Totti on numerous subjects revolving round Actual Madrid, together with his favorite gamers, the Santiago Bernabeu and his relationship with President Perez. 

“I’ve all the time preferred them, since I used to be little. Once I was a toddler in Rome I watched all of his video games. Madrid at the moment was the membership that impressed me with all its nice gamers. Watching them play was an incredible inspiration for me.

“It’s probably the most profitable membership on this planet, the followers, the Santiago Bernabéu, all of it fascinated me. With Roma, I spent 25 years taking part in in numerous stadia however the Bernabéu was, and is, completely different for me. It’s a unique form of environment.

“There are such a lot of, beginning with Hugo Sánchez to the Hierro period, Roberto Carlos, Salgado and so on. I’d be right here all day naming names, not forgetting Ronaldo ‘El Fenómeno’. 

In the direction of the tip of his dialogue with the Spanish press, Totti additionally highlighted the significance of Italy’s return to main tournaments, having missed out on the final two World Cups. 

“We hope (to return) quickly. There have already been two World Cups the place we’ve not taken half and Italy can not permit that as a result of it is without doubt one of the strongest nations on this planet.

“I hope that with the brand new coach Luciano Spaletti, the most effective answer could be discovered as quickly as attainable.”