Roma legend Francesco Totti has revealed why he did not join Major League Soccer after he left his boyhood club.
Totti, 41, left Roma at the end of the 2016/17 season after a long-time career at the Giallorossi. He felt joining the MLS would have ruined his 25-year career.
“I would have ruined a 25-year old career. I always said I would only wear one shirt and I’m a man of my word.” He told La Republica.
Totti further admitted his decision not to venture abroad was influenced by his then manager Luciano Spalletti. His family, particularly his mother also impacted on his decision to spend the entire time at Roma.
“He’s the one who pushed the most,” Totti revealed.
“On that occasion, it was my family — above all my mum — who said no! She’s old school: apprehensive, possessive. My father worked until late. She [My mother] was always there for me and wanted me all to herself.”
In 2010, Totti kicked Mario Balotelli in the Coppa Italia final against Inter Milan and he has confirmed that it was a horrible kick although he felt Balotelli deserved the kick after abusing him and his team for a very long time.
“It was the crescendo. For years, he had been provoking and insulting me as well as Romans in general. It was all the time and then it just exploded. It was a horrible foul. I just wanted to hurt him. But, afterwards, strangely, the Inter players did not attack me. As I left the pitch following the red card, Maicon actually gave me a hi-five. The sensation was that even among his own teammates, Balotelli created a few issues.” Totti concluded.