Francesco Totti has warned that this may well be his final Rome derby if the club cannot build a great squad.
“I will only stay here with a team worthy of Scudetto winners,” explained the Azzurri hero.
The captain has already threatened to walk out on his hometown club if they are forced to sell top stars such as Emerson.
This week the Italian Federation (FIGC) has been looking into helping financially stricken clubs and the two Roman outfits were expressly named as being in trouble.
“Some of director of sport Franco Baldini’s recent statements really worried me,” continued Totti, “and I wouldn’t rule out the suggestion this could be my final Rome derby.”
Baldini’s comments in newspaper ‘Il Messagero’ sparked this panic in the Roma camp.
“Roma’s future depends on Capitalia,” said the director. “I am confident that the club will continue to survive, but I have a few doubts on what level of competitiveness it will have.”
The Italian international has made it perfectly clear that he will not follow the same career path as his hero Giuseppe Giannini, who stayed with his beloved Roma despite the lack of silverware.
Above all, Totti seeks international recognition and aims to win the Balon d’Or – something he claims he cannot do in a ‘small’ club.
In another interview last month, the forward mentioned that his preferred destination would be Real Madrid, as “even the most mediocre players become world beaters there thanks to the media power surrounding the club.”
These are worrying statements ahead of the always heated Derby della Capitale, but Coach Fabio Capello has tried to calm the storm.
“I am confident that the club will soon solve its financial problems and keep the team competitive. Roma are also looking to the future and that includes Totti.”
发表于 2004-3-15 05:14:00
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