Former Roma Coach Garcia on Nainggolan: Smoking Habit Didn't Matter If He Performed

Francesco Totti spoke from Istanbul during an EA7 World Legends event, reflecting on Roma's recent performance. The Roma legend expressed surprise that the club reached the Champions League, suggesting he had not anticipated their qualification. Totti also offered commentary on the Italian national team, though details of his specific remarks remain unclear. His comments highlight ongoing interest in Roma's competitive progress under current management, while Totti himself remains in discussions regarding a potential role with the club for its 2027 centenary celebrations.

Francesco Totti has expressed delight at AS Roma's achievement in securing third place and Champions League qualification under Gian Piero Gasperini this season. Speaking from Istanbul at the World Legends Padel Tour, Totti said: "Quanto mi ha esaltato la parte finale della stagione? Tantissimo, non pensavo che la Roma potesse arrivare in zona Champions, anche perché fino alla fine dipendeva da Juve e Milan. La qualificazione l'hanno buttata loro, la Roma è stata brava a capire l'importanza di stare sempre dietro di loro, ed è riuscita a controbattere tutto ottenendo quello che nessuno si aspettava" (How much the final part of the season excited me? Enormously, I didn't think Roma could reach the Champions League zone, especially because until the end it depended on Juve and Milan. They threw away the qualification, Roma was clever to understand the importance of staying behind them, and managed to counter everything and obtain what no one expected). Totti also discussed his friend Gattuso, now Lazio's coach, offering warm words about his potential success at the capital club despite their rivalry. He said: "Verrò a Roma, lo incontrerò, ci andrò a cena, vedremo di che pasta è fatto, anche perché Roma è una piazza diversa da tutte le altre. Lui parlerà della Lazio? E io della Roma" (I'll come to Rome, I'll meet him, we'll go to dinner, we'll see what he's made of, especially because Rome is a different piazza from all the others. He'll talk about Lazio? And I'll talk about Roma).

Federico Chiesa, in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, discussed his time at Liverpool alongside Mohamed Salah and revealed details about the Egyptian's personal connections to Italy. Chiesa stated: "Salah has an immense heart and is still tied to Italy: he always talks about Florence and Rome." Chiesa added that despite Salah's legendary status and emotional farewell to Liverpool, he remained thoughtful toward his teammates and gave Chiesa a signed shirt with a personal message. Salah's affection for Roma has long been documented. The winger has never hidden his passion for Francesco Totti, one of his childhood idols, and has spoken warmly of former coach Luciano Spalletti, describing him as "the best coach I've ever had." His departure from Liverpool on a free transfer sparked brief speculation about a potential Roma return, though the financial costs of such a move are considered prohibitively high. Chiesa, frequently linked with Roma in transfer rumours, also addressed his own future, expressing openness to returning to Italian football. He said: "I'm open to everything, what matters is playing. I don't have the presumption to say I must be a starter. I'm ready to fight for my place, anywhere." Como currently leads the race for his signature, with Chiesa praising coach Fabio Fabregas as a "top coach" and highlighting Como's attractive style of play.