Roma captain Francesco Totti considered quitting football following the furore after the Coppa Italia final last season.

The Giallorossi lost to bitter rivals Inter but the talking point was Totti's disgraceful tackle on Nerazzurri striker Mario Balotelli, for which the Italian veteran was deservedly sent off two minutes from time.

The vicious kick from behind not only saw Totti banned for four cup games but also sparked a wave of outrage against the forward which he admits almost led him to call it a day.

"There was a time when I thought about quitting," he said.

"I thought about it because of what happened, on and off the pitch. Then I talked to people close to me who made me think about it.

"But when there's passion it's right to continue.

"Every time something happens concerning me it's worth 10 times as much, I have asked myself so many times, why? And I've answered that it happens because at the end of the day I'm good.

"Maybe people don't like me because I'm from Rome. Were the club close to me? Yes."

Totti has spent his entire 18-year career at Roma after coming through their youth team.