Francesco Totti Claims Italy's 2006 World Cup Win Depended on Him

Francesco Totti, the celebrated Roma legend, recently made a bold statement about Italy's success in the 2006 World Cup. He joked that without his critical role and tournament-leading four assists, Italy would not have lifted the trophy.

Reflections on Italy's Triumph

Totti, revered in Rome for his loyalty to AS Roma, believes it was the 2006 World Cup that truly boosted his reputation worldwide. Speaking with Corriere dello Sport on his 50th birthday, he recalled how winning the trophy in Germany shifted his image from a Roman idol to an international football legend.

A Confident Claim About the Final

The former forward insists his place in Marcello Lippi's squad was pivotal to their victory. Sharing a lighthearted thought during the interview, he said,

"If I hadn’t played, they wouldn’t have won it. That World Cup gave me the strength to be important outside Rome too. If I had only won one Scudetto, two Coppa Italias and two Supercoppas, I would have stayed ‘inside the ring road’. Instead, I won it and, even though I was at 40 percent, I made a big contribution. Not everyone wins a World Cup."

Playing Through Injury

Totti’s claim about performing at 40 percent fitness is no exaggeration. Earlier in 2006, he suffered a fractured left ankle that required urgent surgery. His comeback was a desperate race to be ready for the summer tournament.

Despite limited match fitness, he started six of Italy’s seven matches, scoring one goal and providing four assists—the highest assist tally of the competition. This performance aligned with his own memories of his peak years, as he explained:

"Between 2001 and 2008 I felt really good. I was ’embarrassing’ for how strong I felt."

Leading Quietly on the Field

Although widely praised for his skill, Totti faced criticism for not being a vocal leader off the pitch. When asked about this reputation, he didn’t deny it.

"I’ve always been of the view that the pitch was what counted. Outside it, everyone is good at talking. They would say to me: why don’t you say something to the team before the game? But I have to go and play football, I have to enjoy myself. I never felt tension before a match."