Pele: Roma's Totti best player in world

Pele has admitted his admiration for Roma captain Francesco Totti.

The South American made the surprising statement on Thursday, adding that he believes the Azzurri will be major players at this summer's World Cup.

"He is the best player in the world," the former No 10 noted. "He has just been a little unlucky in the past."

Lol that was unexpected

The best player ever saying that Tottis the best player in the world! Maybe Totti would be if he got a change of attitude and stopped spitting on people!

I agree, he seems to have a mental block when it comes to big tournaments, where he keeps letting himself and Italy down by getting involved in stupid confrontations.

Totti, in the Serie A though is a legend and could get in and play regularly for any team in the world.

The only time i ever really see Tottis play is when hes playing for Italy. Which is obviously when hes at his weakest. I should see a game where hes playing for Roma though and maybe my opinions will change.

If you have Bravo on sky/cable then a Serie A game is on every weekend usually the big clubs, so you will get to see him play it is a truely awesome sight when he is in full flow.

Ok ill try to watch this weekend

I've seen Totti score some unreal goals as well as make some great passes, since I am able to watch Serie A on a regular basis here in the states. He is for sure a great player, oozing with talent, but I don't think he's the best player in the world.

That's a surprising statement coming from Pele, who's usually pretty carful at what he says. But, Totti will be on center stage this summer and the world will be watching, he's got a chance to erase all the unluckiness Pele speaks of he's experienced in the past.

Hmm.... do you think Peles maybe been extra smart here and wanted all the limelight on Totti so hed feel more pressure and not perform as well as he should!? Because maybe he thinks Italy will be Brasils main rivals this world cup! Hehe i know its far-fetched but hey, maybe Peles desperate for Brasil to win this year! hahaha

I love Totti, and think he is outstanding, and somewhat underated outside of Italy. He can turn a game on it's head, and is full of natural talent. Unfortunately as Morav said, he has let himself down in the past, and has missed opportunities to show the world what he can do. I think it is suprising he would say that about Totti, when his fellow countyman Ronaldinho is widely accepted as the best player out there today.

Totti: I nearly quit Italy

Francesco Totti has admitted he considered quitting playing for Italy.

The Roma star came in for fierce criticism in Italy for his impact at the last two major finals - World Cup 2002 and Euro 2004.

Totti failed to shine at the 2002 World Cup finals, while he was sent home in disgrace at Euro 2004 for spitting at Denmark's Christian Poulsen which earned him a three-match ban.

The classy forward, who is expected to be one of Italy's star performers in Germany this summer, admitted it could have been so different as he pondered his international retirement after Euro 2004.

"I've thought about leaving the Italian national team," Totti told Sky Italia.

"After the European championship I wasn't too much convicted of it, maybe I was more after the World Cup experience in Korea and Japan.

"The World Cup hadn't been positive and about me many things had been said.

"Maybe I had been wrong, but then I had many critics.

"I thought about quitting Azzurri. Then the character and the people who had been close to me, told me to continue because it was the best answer I could give."

Totti also moved to reject rumours that he does not get on with Italy coach Marcello Lippi

"It is a fantastic relationship, because with Lippi there is dialogue, harmony and happiness," added Totti.

"So I think that when a coach gives you these things is a really positive situation".

i agree with u that Totti is an amazin player and if he controlls his difficult personality, he'll be outstanding in the World Cup, but u cant listen to what Pelé says. he is the best player ever, but isnt very good with present football. every month he chooses a brazilian young player and tells everybody that he's gonna be the best of the world in some years, and then we find out that the boy is crap

i'm italian and my favourite team is roma. I don't agree with u because totti doesn't always spit on people! now he's change. he plays for the team. i think that totti isn't the best player in the world, but he can compete for the "pallone d'oro", the best prize for a football player.
if you are some time, you see some roma matches.

Totti is a top player, but definetly not the best. Pele said Rooney_79586.shtml'>Wayne Rooney is the next him, and the English tend to bring this up all the time when proving Rooney's talent. Just because Pele says, doesn't mean thats a fact. He also said George Best was the best, and better than himself. Inside himself I guarantee that's not what he thinks.

Tottis good,but not the best.He's overrated but scores some decent goals and passes well,

who is the best player for you now?

Ronaldinho beats him every day of the week, Lampard, Gerrard, Rooney, Henry, Zidane, Terry are all better than him in my opinion.

Gerrard, Rooney, Henry, Zidane, Terry ??????????????????????????

How can you begin to possibly compare an attacking midfielder with - a defensive mid/striker/or centre half?

I was going basically on influence on the team and performance! How do you think the committees pick world player of the year every year? They don't pick them from categories of different types of player!

Who was the last defender to win world player of the year? or any other position that isn't attack minded.

So you're saying that a defender can't be considered a better player/ team player than an attacker then?