GENOA, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 28: Francesco Totti, former captain of Roma, reacts prior to kick-off in the Serie A TIM match between Genoa CFC and AS Roma at Stadio Luigi Ferraris on September 28, 2023 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by Simone Arveda/Getty Images)

Italy legend names his ideal five-a-side team and reveals his best coach and teammate: ‘Carlo Mazzone and Antonio Cassano.’

The 2006 Italy World Cup winner attended an event in Rome on Thursday, where he discussed his career and future, as reported by Retesport.

Here’s everything the ex-Roma striker told reporters.

When does someone become a legend?
“I think you become a legend when you’ve built your part throughout your football journey. When they call you a legend, it means you’ve done something important or significant. I consider myself lucky. I wanted to fulfil my dream of wearing just one jersey. I see myself in that legend. Then, of course, people observe and comment on everything you do. Considering what I’ve achieved at the end of my career, I’m happy that people see me this way. It’s meaningful. It means there was mutual love. When people identify you in a certain way, it means you’ve done something important.”

How many difficulties did you encounter during your career?
“In 25 years, there were plenty of obstacles to avoid. Injuries, for example, are one of the worst things. But I got back up and ran even harder.”

What would you have done if you weren’t a footballer? Did you have a childhood idol?
“I would have been a gas station attendant. I like the smell of gasoline,” he said, laughing,

“Also, because when they opened their wallets, they were full of money. My parents used to tell me, ‘When you grow up, you’ll understand.’ If I hadn’t been a footballer, I would have been a tennis player. An idol? Federer is tennis, just like Maradona is football.”

How does it feel to know that you once mentioned Maradona’s name, and now so many people mention yours?
“I don’t want to be compared to Maradona. No one can be compared to him. A round ball is Maradona, everything else is secondary.”

Three players for a five-a-side match?
“Buffon in goal, Maradona, and Ronaldo. You may ask, ‘Who runs?’ But in football, others should run when you have the ball.”

Who will win the Scudetto?
“Inter or Napoli. If I have to pick one, Inter. After their win against Atalanta, they seem ready to win [the title] again.”

Who is your heir?
“Right now, it’s tough, there isn’t one. Who’s missing? Totti. I hope that one day, some child or promising young player can follow not necessarily my career but a career in general, since it’s a dream every kid has. I wish them that with all my heart.”

What’s your favourite stadium besides the Olimpico?
“San Siro. Lately, we’ve had more victories there, while before, we only lost. In the end, we won many times, and that stadium really excited me. I loved playing there. When we went to Milan, they still insulted me, but it was a different kind of insult, almost enjoyable. There was a lot of respect, especially in Milan-Roma matches. The more they targeted me, the more I had fun.”

Do you miss football?
“A lot. Every now and then, I play eight-a-side with friends or when I travel abroad for events.”

What’s the craziest thing a fan has done for you?
“A lot of things have happened. The strangest one was a fan who stopped to kiss my shoes and feet. You laugh about it. You don’t think someone would do something like that.”

The coach you loved the most?
“Zeman or Mazzone. Just one? Mazzone.”

Your favorite teammate?
“Cassano.”

The future?
“I don’t think about it. I live day by day. Whatever happens, if I do anything, I’ll do it with the same dedication as always.”