Totti ponders Azzurri return Monday 4 June, 2007
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Roma captain Francesco Totti has announced that he might return to international duty with Italy in the Autumn.
The Giallorosso hasn’t appeared for the national side since the World Cup, claiming he wasn’t fit enough to play for both club and country after fracturing his left ankle in February 2006.
The No 10 announced over the weekend that he would not remove the metal plate from his ankle despite the advice of his doctor, as this would have affected his summer break.
“I will not undergo surgery. Now I want to leave for the holidays and rest with my family,” Totti told the Rome-based newspaper Il Messaggero.
“I have played over 50 matches this year and it wasn’t easy with my physical condition, I need to stop for a while,” added this season’s Capocannoniere.
“In July I will call Gigi Riva, who is my contact in the Azzurri squad, and I will tell him how I feel and what my plans are. I will be ready for Italy’s important matches.”
The Azzurri are set to face Group B rivals France on September 8 and Ukraine on September 12 in what could be two decisive ties.
FIGC chief Giancarlo Abete had warned Totti that he could face sanctions if he continued to refuse a return to the Italy squad, but stated this morning that he is confident all issues will be clarified soon.
“He never refused an international call-up, what he said in the past was only true for the 2006-07 season,” Abete told Rai Radio Anchi’io.
“We will clarify shortly what will happen in September. This uncertainty cannot continue, it would be of no use to any of the parties involved,” he concluded.
Channel 4

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Roma captain Francesco Totti has announced that he might return to international duty with Italy in the Autumn.
The Giallorosso hasn’t appeared for the national side since the World Cup, claiming he wasn’t fit enough to play for both club and country after fracturing his left ankle in February 2006.
The No 10 announced over the weekend that he would not remove the metal plate from his ankle despite the advice of his doctor, as this would have affected his summer break.
“I will not undergo surgery. Now I want to leave for the holidays and rest with my family,” Totti told the Rome-based newspaper Il Messaggero.
“I have played over 50 matches this year and it wasn’t easy with my physical condition, I need to stop for a while,” added this season’s Capocannoniere.
“In July I will call Gigi Riva, who is my contact in the Azzurri squad, and I will tell him how I feel and what my plans are. I will be ready for Italy’s important matches.”
The Azzurri are set to face Group B rivals France on September 8 and Ukraine on September 12 in what could be two decisive ties.
FIGC chief Giancarlo Abete had warned Totti that he could face sanctions if he continued to refuse a return to the Italy squad, but stated this morning that he is confident all issues will be clarified soon.
“He never refused an international call-up, what he said in the past was only true for the 2006-07 season,” Abete told Rai Radio Anchi’io.
“We will clarify shortly what will happen in September. This uncertainty cannot continue, it would be of no use to any of the parties involved,” he concluded.
Channel 4

