ROME, Nov 29 - AS Roma striker Francesco Totti has
said he would come out of international retirement for Euro 2008
if Italy coach Roberto Donadoni needed him.
"If I was needed because of some injuries or an emergency (I
would be willing)," the Roma captain told GQ magazine.
Totti took a break from international duty after picking up
a 2006 World Cup winners' medal, but then announced he was
quitting the national team completely in July this year.
He added in the GQ interview that he did not want to steal
the place of any of the existing members of the squad and said
he only wanted to be considered as an emergency option.
"It's right that the 22-24 players who have won
qualification (to Euro 2008) go. If I took someone's place, it
wouldn't be right."
He cited the example of Zinedine Zidane, who came out of
international retirement to help France qualify for, and reach
the final of, last year's World Cup.
The 31-year-old Totti, who made 58 appearances for Italy
scoring nine goals, had ruled out making an Azzurri return just
last week.
Totti's offer is unlikely to tempt Donadoni, who has
frequently expressed irritation at having to answer questions
about a player who has ruled himself out of his plans.
Meanwhile, Rolando Bianchi has said he aims to win a regular
place in the Manchester City starting lineup to earn a crack at
an Italy call-up.
"My dream is to play for Italy and I want to realise it as
soon as possible," the striker told Mediaset television.
"I'm working hard to win my place here and to have a chance
to play for the national team. I must keep working as I have
been and give 200 percent."