Francesco Totti announces his retirement from the National Team

Azzurri and AS Roma superstar Francesco Totti has announced that he is retiring from the National Squad. He said he is concerned about his long term health and thought it would be best to step aside at this point. Totti was only a few months removed from a horrific broken ankle when he played for the Azzurri in the World Cup last year. However he has not played for the National Team since then.

His announcement has ended nearly a year of speculation about his future. Of course this decision has sparked a full range of reactions from complete understanding to disappointment and even anger at the way he handled the situation. The National Soccer Federation (FIGC) had given him until the end of July to make up his mind due to upcoming Euro 2008 qualifiers against France and Ukraine in September.


Totti says he is retiring from the Azzurri

Time to move on says Totti

Donadoni diplomatic about decision

He honoured us

Totti selfish?

And now more criticism