Totti: People who criticize Ronaldo are just jealous of him. I think Messi and Ronaldo are on the same level

Football 8:52am, 12 November 2025 145

In the program "AperiTotti" hosted by Pierluigi Pardo, Inter Milan star Materazzi and Totti had a relaxed and pleasant conversation, including anecdotes, behind-the-scenes stories, etc. From Roma captain Totti's classic "lob shot" to the 2006 World Cup in Germany that the two won together, Melo's battle for the best in the world has become a topic of conversation.

■You could have won more championships in Rome...

Totti said: "We are called the 'forever second'. Sometimes it's Juventus in front, sometimes it's Inter Milan, sometimes it's AC Milan..."

■The lob in Inter Milan's game against Roma?

"I have five or six pretty good lobs in my career. The kick against Julio Cesar was completely instinctive. After the midfield steal, I took the ball directly towards Materazzi and he kept retreating. Then Mancini ran out smartly. I opened a gap and attracted the defense. I pretended to shoot hard, and finally chose to shoot. If I hit the goal hard, Materazzi might block the ball. "

■How important is intuition in your career?

"It's very important. Playing that position, intuition is everything. When you are free and unrestrained, you can do different things. Some coaches want me to play according to their requirements. Zeman is the most prepared one, always asking for insertions and crosses. He is an important promoter of my growth, and has changed me a lot from body to tactics."

■Mazzoni?

"He gave me the right direction. I was lucky enough to meet him when I was 17 years old. He guided me perfectly in every aspect."

■What is Ronaldo an 'alien' like?

"After Maradona, he is the strongest player in history. The only regret is not being able to be teammates with him, that would be a dream."

■You and Cassano?

"Although we have different styles, we are very happy to play together, and we don't need to look at each other when we work together. When he first came to Roma, he joined just for me. I also taught him how to live in Roma. Cassano is an outgoing person and speaks too directly, and the same is true for Batistuta and Sensi."

■What do you miss?

"The locker room, the training camp, and the stupid things we did together. We all felt bored in the training camp at the time, but looking back now, I really want to experience it again."

■ 2006 World Cup?

"Even without me, there will be someone to step up and the team can still win the championship. The team is very united and has a great coach."

■ Lippi's role?

"He has been caring about me since the day I was injured. He sent me a message as soon as possible and went to visit Vera Stewart Hospital the next day. After that, he came to Trigoria every week to understand the situation and called every day. Time was tight, but with the help of the doctor , I finally caught up with the World Cup. "

■ We were not optimistic about that World Cup...

"After the Calciopoli incident, we became more united. At that time, Italian football was in chaos. "

■ What was your relationship with Nesta?

"We grew up together and have been playing in the youth training of Roma and Lazio since we were 12 years old. He is a great person and one of the strongest central defenders in the world. He can give people a sense of stability. We don't interact often in private. He lives in the north of Roma and I live in the south of Roma, also out of respect for the fans."

■ Will you look back on the past?

"Those away trips and every detail of the journey are unforgettable. There were no technological products to accompany you at that time..."

■Are you nervous before the finals?

"Lippi told us that we can stay up until five or six in the morning if we want, but we have to play at nine in the morning. No one can say that they are tired."

■Materazzi's goal in the final?

"He jumped as high as seven meters, even over the crossbar (laughing)."

■Dybala and Sule?

"Dybala's technique is very good, but his body is a little brittle. Sule also performed well, and I am very happy for him. He has a good mind, a strong fighting spirit, and is now in good physical condition. Dybala can create sparks together. It would be better if they can play more together. They speak the same language, a bit like me and Cassano."

■Why did Roma fail to win Serie A like Naples?

"Roma and Naples are actually quite similar. De Laurentiis did a great job. He hired a coach who is eager to win and is used to winning. Everything is put together. Conte is the kind of coach who can control everything, just like Mourinho and Capello. As soon as they come, you know that the team wants to win and doesn't want to waste time. This is a strong signal. With such a powerful figure in charge, It is difficult for the team to have problems, they almost have full decision-making power. "

■ Roma has suffered at San Siro for a long time...

"It was not just a period, it has only changed in the past five or six years (laughing). In the year when we won the championship, we only lost two games, one loss to AC Milan 3-2, and one loss to Inter Milan 2-0. "

■ Cristiano Ronaldo or Messi?

"Whoever says Ronaldo is not good is jealous of him. For me, Maradona is the embodiment of football, he belongs to another level; next Ronaldo is an alien, and then Ronaldo and Messi, they are players of the same level."