Totti: I Dreamed of Playing with Ronaldo Nazário, Would Have Boosted His Goals Threefold

Francesco Totti, celebrating his 50th birthday, reflected on his career and named the teammate he wished he'd played with.

In a conversation with Corriere dello Sport, reported by TuttoMercatoWeb, the Roma icon revealed his choice.

“Ronaldo, Il Fenomeno. I would have helped him score three times the goals he did. We would have played together seamlessly.”

When asked to compare Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, Totti declined to pick a favorite, stating they were the two greatest players in football history. He added that Diego Maradona was above everyone, superior to all, and that he would have liked to play with both Messi and Ronaldo.

Regarding his actual teammates, Totti highlighted two: "I connected best with Cassano on the pitch and Candela off it."

He was equally direct about coaches, naming Mazzone and Zeman as those who understood him best, and Carlos Bianchi as the least understanding, recounting that Bianchi wanted him to leave.

Totti also touched upon his departure from Roma's management. After retiring in 2017, he joined the club's boardroom but left acrimoniously in 2019.

“As a player, I had influence and importance as captain. As a director, I felt in the way. I wasn't upset about it. I gave up three years of my contract and a role because I didn't want to be at the club feeling useless.”

Totti: I Wish I Had Played with Ronaldo Nazário, Would Have Triple His Goal Count

Francesco Totti, marking his 50th birthday, shared his reflections on his career. He singled out Ronaldo Nazário, "Il Fenomeno," as the one player he wished he had the chance to play alongside.

Totti told Corriere dello Sport, as reported by TuttoMercatoWeb, "I would have made him score three times the goals he already scored. We would have played together with our eyes closed."

When pressed on Lionel Messi versus Cristiano Ronaldo, Totti refrained from choosing, instead declaring both as the strongest players in football history. He stated that Diego Maradona was on another level, superior to everyone, and that he would have enjoyed playing with either Messi or Ronaldo.

Among his actual teammates, Totti identified two: "On the pitch, it was Cassano. Off the pitch, it was Candela. Those were the two I connected with best."

He was equally clear about coaches, naming Mazzone and Zeman as the ones who understood him most. Carlos Bianchi, he said, understood him the least, even wanting him to leave.

Totti also revisited his exit from Roma's director roles, which followed his playing retirement in 2017 and ended in 2019.

"I had influence as a player. That's normal; I was the captain, I had weight. As a director, I felt like I was in the way. It's not a sore point. I walked away from a three-year contract and a role because I didn't want to be at the club doing nothing. I felt useless."