Totti: Roma better than Ballon d'Or
Sunday 26 July, 2009
Francesco Totti believes he “would have won the Ballon d’Or at another club,” but does not regret dedicating his career to Roma.
The captain grew up in their youth system and was a fan in the stands before he became a ball boy and made his Serie A debut aged 16.
Now he is set to commit to the Giallorossi with a new contract until 2014 as a football player, then to 2019 as a director.
“Roma was a life choice for me,” he told TG1 cameras. “I think I earned this new contract for what I have done on the field, for the respect I always had for the Sensi family, my teammates, Coaches and fans.
“If I had gone elsewhere, I would have won the Ballon d’Or at another club, but I am happy to have remained because this was a decision made with my heart.”
Totti has always been considered among the top talents in Serie A, but Roma’s failure to compete for top trophies saw him ignored in the European Player of the Year votes.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic also complained at the lack of international attention and this is one of the reasons behind his move to Barcelona.
“Many players have left Serie A this summer, but great champions have joined too and in the end it will all even out,” assured Totti.
“When a player no longer wants to stay at a club, it is only right that everyone agrees to call it a day. Barcelona got a good deal, but so did Inter, as they can buy several players with that money.”
Roma did not qualify for the Champions League and risk missing out again after smaller sides spent big this summer.
“Napoli will be the revelation of this season, because they made some great investments and I saw President Aurelio De Laurentiis very fired up.
“Juventus are one of the candidates to win the Scudetto, as they have reinforced an already solid squad. Ciro Ferrara is motivated, hungry and it is important for the players to have such a young Coach to relate to.”
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