French pair Mexes and Menez hint at Roma exits
Nesta vows to continue playing beyond season’s end
French pair Philippe Mexes and Jeremy Menez have hinted that they both may be leaving Roma at the end of the season.
Mexes is out of contract in June and was on Monday ruled out for the rest of the season after damaging his cruciate knee ligament against Juventus on Sunday.
And he admitted yesterday that he is likely to move on in the summer, with Milan his likely destination.
“My mind is more towards leaving than staying. After seven years I can say that I made my life in Rome but I have to make a decision and think about what’s best for me,” he said.
And when asked if Milan would be his destination, he added: “There’s a lot of talk about that and probably yes.”
As for Menez, he has found himself on the bench since Claudio Ranieri left at the end of February and was replaced by Vincenzo Montella.
And when asked if he would stay at Roma he merely stated: “I don’t know.”
Menez was enjoying the best season of his career, playing regularly and earning plaudits for the attacking verve he brought to the team.
But since taking over, former player Montella has shown a distinct preference for his ex-team-mates over those who arrived after his playing career ended.
Meanwhile, Milan centre-back Alessandro Nesta denied that he will quit football at the end of the season. Having missed almost all the 2008/09 season due to a persistent back injury and having also been out for parts of this season, speculation mounted that the veteran would be considering calling it a day.
It is already five years since he announced his international retirement in a bid to prolong his club playing days.
But now he claims those are not up yet.
“I didn’t say that I would quit at the end of the season,” he said.
“I was asked at what point of my career I was at and I said that I’m 35 and almost at the end, but not at the end. I hope to keep playing even if I probably can’t play in every game like this year.
“I’m still available and I’ll always give my all until one day, like everyone, I stop... but not at the end of this season.”