Roma legend Francesco Totti, alongside Marco Materazzi, appeared on a talk show and discussed various topics. Here is the second part of the interview.
How is your relationship with Alessandro Nesta?
"We grew up together, joining Roma and Lazio's youth systems respectively at 12. He's an exceptional person and one of the world's best center-backs, bringing calm and positive energy. We don't meet much privately—he lives in northern Rome, I in the south—and out of respect for fans, it's not easy to meet."
What kind of player was Ronaldo "the Phenomenon"?
"After Maradona, he's the greatest ever. My only regret is not playing with him; that would have been a dream."
Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi?
"Anyone speaking badly of Ronaldo is driven by jealousy. For me, Maradona is football itself, on another level. Then there's 'the Phenomenon' Ronaldo. Finally, Ronaldo and Messi—they're on the same level."
Talking about the 2006 World Cup:
"If I'd missed it through injury, Italy still had other players who could have won. That team was so united, and we had a great coach."
How important was Marcello Lippi to you?
"He waited for me from the day I got injured. He messaged me right away, visited the hospital the next day, then came to Trigoria every week and called daily. With doctors' efforts and a bit of luck, I made it back before the World Cup, even with little time left."
That World Cup, we weren't favorites...
"After Calciopoli, we were even more united. Everything was a mess back then."
How nervous were you before the final?
"Lippi told us we could party until 5 or 6 a.m., but we had to be at the stadium by 9 a.m.—and no one could say they were too tired."
Talking about Materazzi's goal in the final:
"He jumped seven meters high, almost to the crossbar! (Laughs)"
