Former Roma captain Francesco Totti confessed his disdain for ex-Juventus and Lazio midfielder Pavel Nedved, even going so far as to admit he wanted to punch him.
The pair faced off against each other on numerous occasions in Serie A, and Totti reflected on his duels with the current Bianconeri director in his newly released autobiography, Un Capitano.
Totti did not hold back in his criticism of Nedved, with a crucial clash between Italy and the Czech Republic at the 2006 World Cup referenced highlighting his frustrations. The Azzurri would go on to defeat the Czechs in Group E and eliminate their opponents, despite a fine performance from Nedved.
“That day Nedved was in irresistible form, and it hurts me to say it because I have never been able to put up with him on the pitch,” the Roma icon declared.
“He was an incredible whiner, and would only need to be brushed to be sent flying 10 metres in the air. It made me want to punch him.
“Despite that, he was so strong in that match, amongst others, that [Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi] Buffon had to make three or four wonder saves to keep him out.
“I had never hidden my dislike of Nedved as a player, but I must acknowledge that he was very nice to me when we met at the Champions League draw in Monaco after I retired, and asked how I was coping in my new role as a director.”
Totti, who released his autobiography to mark his 42nd birthday on Thursday, scored 307 goals in 786 appearances for Roma, and went on to help Italy lift the World Cup in 2006.
