Totti: "Italy wouldn't have won the 2006 World Cup without me"
Francesco Totti feels the 2006 World Cup victory propelled him beyond being just a Roman icon. He is certain about his contribution to that triumph.
Speaking to Corriere dello Sport for his 50th birthday, Totti was asked if the tournament was the culmination of his career. "If I hadn't played, they wouldn't have won it," he said with a laugh. "That World Cup allowed me to be significant beyond Rome. Had I only won a Scudetto and a couple of other cups, I would have remained known only locally. Instead, I won the World Cup, making a major impact even at 40 percent fitness. Not everyone can win a World Cup."
Totti's comment about 40 percent fitness isn't false modesty. He fractured his left ankle in February 2006, requiring surgery. He returned for the tournament with minimal match conditioning but still started six of Italy's seven matches. He finished with one goal and four assists, leading the tournament in assists.
He identified a broader period as his peak. "Between 2001 and 2008, I felt exceptionally strong. I was almost 'embarrassingly' good."
Totti also addressed the common perception that he wasn't a vocal presence in the dressing room, and he didn't strongly disagree. "I always believed the performance on the pitch was what mattered. Off it, talking is easy. They'd ask me why I didn't address the team before a game. But my job was to play football, to enjoy myself. I never felt match-day tension."
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