Roma legend Totti explains why he rejected Real Madrid and Milan
Martin Macdonald
- Updated: 12 Oct 2021 09:30 CDT
- 5 min read
Francesco Totti has recalled the circumstances which led to him turning down a transfer to Real Madrid in order to stay at Roma.
A rarity in the modern game, the legendary Italian stayed with the same club for his entire career in Roma, whom he represented from 1992 to 2017.
He is naturally Roma's most capped player as well as their top goalscorer, while he is also the second-highest scorer in Italian football history with 250 goals.
Totti won a Serie A title, two Coppa Italia titles, and two Supercoppa titles.
The closest he came to leaving Roma came in 2006 when he was fresh off a World Cup victory with Italy, with Real Madrid attempting to make him a Galactico.
Eventually, he would choose to stay at Roma, and he revealed in an interview with the Guardian that the decision came from the heart.
“Of course I thought about it,” Totti told Nicky Bandini.
“Let’s say that there were quite a few days in which we had one foot in and one foot out. Then, I’ve said, often and truthfully, that the choice to stay with Roma was made from the heart. In those moments, when you feel like this, you can’t walk away.
“But certainly, looking back, thinking about the fact of saying no to Real Madrid, a little bit of doubt does remain.
“Real Madrid were the only other team that I could have gone to play for. The only team it could have been, I think. An experience in a different country could have been something beautiful for everyone.
"For my family. For me…”
The Italian would eventually retire in 2017, finding out his fate after Roma asked if he wanted anything special prepared for his final derby match against Lazio.
“You never truly want to stop,” he continued.
“Honestly, I didn’t take it well at the beginning. But, slowly, slowly I have talked myself around to the idea that it was the right thing.”
Totti to Manchester United?
Former Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has previously revealed that the Red Devils were interested in signing Francesco Totti from Roma over a decade ago, but were quickly informed the deal wouldn’t happen.
In a short interview with Gazzetta dello Sport, Ferguson was asked by the Italian outfit if he ever considered a swoop for Totti.
“We liked the player and we would have liked to include him in our squad, but when we expressed our interest, it was immediately clear that Totti did not want to leave Rome,” the Scot replied.
“He was deeply attached to his city. After all, his CV is clear: Totti only wore the Roma shirt in his career."
