Roma captain Totti open to World Cup return

Roma captain Francesco Totti has again admitted he may come out of international retirement for Italy's World Cup campaign.

The 33-year-old retired from international football in 2007, but Marcello Lippi would like him back in the fold.

“Lifting the World Cup was one of the most beautiful sensations in the world,” Totti explained. “Also because when I lifted the World Cup towards the Italy fans I did it because there was my son Christian who was seven months old and it was the first time that he had come to watch his father.”

Asked if the nostalgia was prompting him to rethink his decision, Totti replied: “I don't know because I still haven't spoken to Lippi and I will also have to evaluate my physical condition. Then we need to see if the group wants me.

“I think the most beautiful moment of my career was in 2001 when we won the Scudetto. It was a dream that I had when I was a child and I managed to realise it, also because, like I have always said, winning a Scudetto with Roma is like winning 10 in another part of Italy.

“When you are young, you think and hope to tread on the grass at the Olimpico, but it was more a dream than reality.”