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

Francesco Totti Credits Himself for Italy's 2006 World Cup Victory

Francesco Totti, the legendary Roma playmaker, recently joked that Italy’s 2006 World Cup triumph would not have happened without his critical role and leading four assists in the tournament.

Totti Reflects on His Role in Italy’s Historic Win

While eternally celebrated in Rome for his loyalty to Roma, Totti believes the 2006 World Cup elevated him from a local hero to a global football icon. Speaking to Corriere dello Sport on his 50th birthday, he shared how lifting the trophy in Germany reshaped his legacy beyond just Roman football.

A Confident Claim About the Final

Totti was sure his inclusion in Marcello Lippi’s squad made all the difference in securing victory. He humorously suggested, "If I hadn’t played, they wouldn’t have won it." He added that the World Cup win allowed him to gain importance outside Rome. Although he only captured one Scudetto, two Coppa Italias, and two Supercoppas during his club career, the World Cup made his impact worldwide. Despite playing at only 40 percent fitness, he felt he contributed significantly. Not everyone gets to win a World Cup, he noted.

Playing Through Injury

Totti’s statement about competing while injured is no exaggeration. He suffered a fractured left ankle in February 2006 that needed urgent surgery, forcing a race to be ready for the summer tournament. Even lacking full match fitness, he started six of Italy’s seven games.

• Goals scored: 1
• Assists made: 4 (tournament-high)

His performance reflected his physical and technical peak years. He said, "Between 2001 and 2008, I felt really good. I was ’embarrassing’ for how strong I felt."

Leading by Example Rather Than Words

Totti often faced criticism for not being vocal in the locker room. When asked about this reputation, he didn’t deny it, stating, "I’ve always believed the pitch was what mattered. Outside of it, everyone talks. People asked why I didn’t speak to the team before matches, but I had to focus on playing and enjoying myself. I never felt tension before a game."

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