Roma

Francesco Totti 'demands more respect from Roma'

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 20 February 2016

Long-serving Roma captain Francesco Totti hints that he could leave the club at the end of the season due to a lack of playing time and respect.

Roma stalwart Francesco Totti has hinted that he could leave the club at the end of the season due to a lack of playing time and respect.

The 39-year-old has spent his entire career at the Italian outfit, making 749 appearances for the club and scoring 300 goals over a distinguished 23-year period.

However, he has struggled to work his way into the plans of new manager Luciano Spalletti, and feels as though he deserves to be treated better following his past achievements at the Stadio Olimpico.

"I still feel like a player who is physically in good shape and I want to play. The injury is behind me now and if I don't play it is purely down to a tactical decision. I can't stay at Roma like this. It hurts to be on the bench," Totti told TG1.

"I understand at my age that I play less, but ending my career like this is bad for me as a man and what I've given to Roma. I demand more respect for all I've done here. What is my rapport like with Spalletti? We say 'good morning' and 'good evening.' That's it. He said such nice things in the papers, but not to my face. I respect him as a coach and think he has what it takes to remain at Roma.

"My contract expires in June, I await news from [president James] Pallotta and will evaluate the situation. I expect the fairness of people telling me the reality of the situation and how things really are."

Totti has won a Serie A title and two Coppa Italias during his time at Roma, in addition to the 2006 World Cup with Italy.