Juventus captain Giorgio Chiellini is amused that Andriy Shevchenko and Michael Owen won the Ballon d’Or, but not Francesco Totti. “He was just a genius.”
The autobiography of Bianconeri’s defense lawyer covered numerous topics throughout his career. The latest excerpt from the newspapers is about the biggest single award in football.
“I played with Francesco Totti, but we were almost always opponents,” wrote Chiellini.
“I saw him in some Azzurri games before the 2006 World Cup, but then he left the Nazionale. Francesco was really immense and it’s a shame we didn’t see him play on other big stages, but it’s romantic that he dedicated his whole life to the Roma.
“He won a lot less than he could have done, he should have been a Ballon d’Or, and he might have refused the element of growth that results from change. However, anyone who thinks this is a comforting decision knows nothing. It was just a choice of love.
“Totti could have really won the Ballon d’Or before the ‘aliens’ hegemony of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. They gave the trophy to players like Owen and Shevchenko, who are great but certainly not better than Totti, ”wrote Chiellini.
“He had eyes in the back of his head and was able to move the ball in a way no one could have imagined. I saw him play fantastic football, first with this explosive physicality, then with immense class, albeit at a slower pace.
“In terms of technology, mentality and vision, Totti was really world class: just a genius. In addition to Antonio Cassano’s unruly creativity, he was one of the best Roma partnerships ever, perhaps the best. Pure poetry. “
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