Federico Balzaretti made his first appearance of the season for Roma against his former club Palermo and vowed to keep on playing.
The match ended in disappointment for the 33-year-old as the Giallorossi lost to a 94th minute goal as the Sicilians left the Olimpico Stadium with all three points.
Balzaretti told Roma TV that starting the game was special and he wanted to remain part of Rudi Garcia’s squad.
“There were strong emotions and my wife was in the stands so it was exciting,” said the former Italian international.
“When you step out on to the pitch it’s time to play and not think of the emotional side of it anymore.
“For me, the good of the team always comes first, it’s a team game, we’re not playing tennis.
“You win and lose together, when [Juan] Iturbe or [Mapou] Yanga-Mbiwa score, it’s as if I have scored.
“We dreamed before but now our league position says that Roma are among the strongest teams in Italy and emerging once more on the European stage.”
Despite his lack of playing time, the former Juventus and Fiorentina left full-back isn’t quite ready to hang up his boots for a crack at coaching.
“If I am given the opportunity to continue, I will still be a player, then later I will be a director, but not at the moment,” he went on.
“All that I have done is already written, but I’ll wait to see if the club want to let me extend my playing career.”
