World Cup 2010

It Would Be Ridiculous To Recall Francesco Totti To Italy Squad - Paolo Di Canio

The former Lazio attacker is strongly opposed to the notion that 'Er Pupone' should return to the Azzurri side...

Nov 12, 2009 6:43:42 PM

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Paolo Di Canio (Grazia Neri)

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Francesco Totti

Paolo Di Canio has blasted those who have been calling for Italy coach Marcello Lippi to select Roma icon Francesco Totti in his World Cup squad.

Gianluca Zambrotta has recently backed the calls to recall both Totti and Alessandro Nesta to the national team, but Di Canio is fuming with the proposition. The staunch Laziale claims that Totti's injury problems and his club-over-country attitude mean that a return should not even be suggested.

"It seems completely inappropriate to me," Di Canio is quoted as saying by Tuttonapoli.net.

"We are talking about a player who is subject to physical problems that reduce him to playing for two or three months a year.

"In my opinion, the question should not even be asked and it would be ridiculous to see him in the national team again.

"Moreover, there are players who have dedicated themselves to achieving qualification for the World Cup, while he has decided to devote himself exclusively to Roma."

The Italian's comments are sure to provoke debate, while Lippi himself has said in the past that he would weigh up the possibility of bringing the veteran back into the international fold.

Anthony Wright, Goal.com