Roma captain Francesco Totti admits he almost quit the game last season over the fallout from his clash with Inter Milan firebrand Mario Balotelli.
Totti was sent off for violent conduct, but more anguish was to follow afterwards when Balotelli accused him of making racist comments.
"There was a moment in which I thought about quitting because of what happened, but in the end after speaking with people who are important to me, I changed my mind because when there is the passion it's right to go forward," Totti said.
"I thought about what happened both on and off the pitch. Every time that something happens with me it's blown out of proportion 10 times more. I have asked myself why on many occasions.
"Perhaps it's envy, or perhaps it happens because in the end I am a good person. But I'm probably unlikable to many because I am Roman.
"I have always said that I am proud to be Roman, I have always said it. Unfortunately there will always be envy between Rome and the North, but I think that people should think more about Italy than about what I say or do or what the Romans do. There are more important things."
