This isn’t the first time the whole of Italy has seemingly wanted Francesco Totti back in a national team shirt.
Four years ago, his performances for Roma had the entire country talking about a possible recall for Er Pupone, and even his wife Ilary Blasi made it public that she thought he ought to come out of international retirement to go to South Africa. Totti later admitted that he would travel if given the opportunity, but Marcello Lippi’s snub appeared to signal the end of his Italy career once and for all.
Now, having recently turned 37, Totti is the talk of every town once more. His dazzling displays for a currently all-conquering Roma side thriving off the club captain’s leadership have been the greatest feature of an exciting beginning to the Serie A season, again bringing the prospect of a Totti return into the national consciousness.
The difference this time around is that current national coach Cesare Prandelli seems more than ready to entertain the possibility of recalling one of the most naturally talented players ever to pull on an Azzurrishirt.
In a week during which he has been called everything from “one of the greatest ever” to “immortal” the GoalWorld Player of the Week also received the endorsement of Prandelli, who announced at a press conference: “If we were nearing the World Cup, I’d call on Totti without a doubt.
“I hope that he can maintain his condition, as the priorities for the World Cup are related to athletics.
