Totti on Messi’s Ballon d’Ors: ‘What if he had spent 25 years at Roma?’

Francesco Totti argues that Paulo Dybala is among the best players in the world alongside Lamine Yamal but has no Ballon d’Or regrets: ‘Do you think Leo Messi would have won so many if he had spent 25 years at Roma?’

The former Italian striker released a long interview with Viva El Futbol podcast, hosted by ex-Serie A players Cassano, Lele Adani and Nicola Ventola.

Totti argued with his ex-Roma teammate Cassano over José Mourinho and confirmed he was offered to come out of retirement and play in Serie A again this season.

As reported by TMW, Totti spoke about Roma star Dybala as well: “He is the player who resembles me the most today; I struggle to find others like him in Serie A,” said the 2006 Italy World Cup winner.

“Paulo is a true talent, not just in Italy. In my time, there were many; today, there are only five or six like him in the world. One of them is Yamal. Dybala is in great shape now, he doesn’t struggle and doesn’t stop. In Serie A, he is the best, but there are too few players like him in Italy. Once upon a time, Brescia had players like Pep Guardiola and Roberto Baggio. Today, you don’t even recognise the names.”

Totti does not regret spending his entire career at Roma even if he had a chance to join Real Madrid in 2004.

“I never thought about playing for another team. It wouldn’t have made sense,” he said.

“Only Maldini and I played 25 years with the same club. But do you really think that if Messi had spent 25 years at Roma with Frau, Cesar Gomez, and Pivotto, he would have won all those Ballon d’Ors?”