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Rediff.com  » Sports » Totti could leave Roma

Totti could leave Roma

June 08, 2003 16:38 IST
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AS Roma's Italy international forward Francesco Totti says he could leave the club unless the squad is strengthened by some big-name signings.

Roma, Italian champions in 2001, had a disappointing season as they finished mid-table and club captain Totti has asked club president Franco Sensi to bring in four top-class players to boost the team's chances of an improvement.

"One title with Roma is not enough for me. I want to win," said Totti in comments reported by Italian media on Saturday.

"I mean with Roma, because I am proud to wear that shirt but if there should be problems, if certain commitments undertaken by the club were not respected, I would feel freed from my own commitments too.

"I gave three or four names of players. I am well aware that they are top choices, players who can make the difference but that is exactly what this squad needs," he added.

Italian media have long suggested that European champions AC Milan could be the target club should Totti decide to leave Roma, the club he has been with from his schoolboy days.

He is likely to fuel those rumours by offering a reminder that he almost joined the club owned by Italy Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi when he was a youngster and suggesting it could be his eventual destination.

"It pleases me that the Prime Minister thinks of me. When I was 14-years-old, Milan wanted me. He could have been my president, he could be in the future," Totti said.

Milan placed Totti's comments on their official website.

Totti made his debut for Roma aged 16 in 1993 and has been a regular in the side ever since, scoring 13 goals in their 2001 title triumph. He also featured for Italy in the European Championships in 2000 and in last year's World Cup finals.

At his best playing just behind the strikers, Totti is considered one of the top creative players in Serie A.

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Source: REUTERS
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