Lippi not ruling out Totti return

Italy coach Marcello Lippi is not ruling out calling up Francesco Totti after the Roma forward said he would be willing to come out of international retirement to play at next year's World Cup. The 33-year-old took a break from the Azzurri after being...

Italy coach Marcello Lippi is not ruling out calling up Francesco Totti after the Roma forward said he would be willing to come out of international retirement to play at next year's World Cup.

The 33-year-old took a break from the Azzurri after being part of Lippi's 2006 World Cup-winning team and subsequently made the move permanent, citing fitness problems.

"Totti is a great person and a great player," Lippi said.

"I know there will be controversies (about selections) between now and June. I enjoy them, bring them on. I'm not excluding anything."

Totti, who has made a strong start to the season scoring six goals in Serie A, was quoted by Tuesday's La Gazzetta dello Sport as saying: "It depends on the coach's selections and how I am (physically). I owe him a lot."

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