Time for Totti to deliver.
When Pelé described Francesco Totti as the best player on the planet, his comments raised more than a few eyebrows. The AS Roma captain's ability is widely recognised on home soil, but he has so far failed to live up to his reputation on the international stage. "He has just been a little unlucky in the past but he is the best player in the world," the Brazilian legend said. In that context, the dismay of Italian fans was understandable when Totti broke his left leg and strained ankle ligaments on 19 February, putting his participation at the FIFA World Cup in jeopardy and Italy's hopes in doubt.
National treasureThe news monopolised the media in "Il Belpaese". Silvio Berlusconi, Italy's Prime Minister at the time, visited Totti in hospital to wish him a speedy recovery. Totti is a national treasure and the possibility of not seeing him in the Azzurri shirt in Germany was too hard to bear. Totti, though, answered his supporters' prayers. The Roma captain demonstrated the bravery of the Roman soldier he tattooed on his right shoulder after winning the Scudetto with Roma in 2001, embarking on a rigorous rehabilitation programme designed to get him fit in time for Germany.
'Character'"A lot of people said I wouldn't make it," Totti said. "I wanted to show the type of character Romans have. I worked hard and here I am. While I was recovering from my injury I was even talking to myself at night. I thought I was becoming crazy but I was trying everything not to give up and I managed to achieve what I wanted. Two months ago I said the most important thing was to travel to Germany with the team. Now my priority has changed. Now the real goal is winning the World Cup."
'Never a break'Totti has something to prove after being sent off for diving as Italy crashed out of the 2002 FIFA World Cup and after being suspended for three games at UEFA EURO 2004™ for spitting at an opponent. The 29-year-old forward would also like to improve on a return of eight goals in 51 appearances with the Azzurri shirt, and is eager to show he has finally matured, especially since getting married and having his first son, Cristian, in November. Germany is also likely to be his last chance to show the world how good he really is. "I could play another European Championship and another World Cup," he said. "But I want to dedicate myself to my family, be with my son, and think about Roma. There are too many training camps, too much stress. From July to July there's never a break."
'More mature'Totti is famous in Italy for his charity work. He is a goodwill ambassador for Unicef and was happy to send himself up in a series of books to raise money to help the elderly in Rome and homeless children in the Democratic Republic of Congo. His command of the Italian language may not be as good as his command of the ball, but Totti has a big heart. That is what makes it so difficult to understand his behaviour in Portugal when he was suspended for spitting at Denmark midfielder Christian Poulsen. "I talked to him about that episode and I'm sure he understood that a champion like him cannot afford to act like that," Italy coch Marcello Lippi said. "I think he is more mature now, especially since becoming a father."
'Optimistic'Totti played the full 90 minutes in a recent friendly game against Switzerland and was a second-half substitute four days later against Ukraine, admitting afterwards he is still only 60 per cent fit. "I'm optimistic regarding his condition," Lippi said. "But now comes the tough part. He's going to go up against opponents that won't have much regard for him. I think he is a great champion, a player like Ronaldinho, [Thierry] Henry or [Lionel] Messi, and obviously we will do everything to have him at his best. He has several steps in the right direction and I'm sure he'll make several others before our debut against Ghana."
'The best'Lippi's preferred lineup is a 4-3-1-2, with Totti centred behind forwards Alberto Gilardino and Luca Toni. "With Totti behind us, it's something different," Toni told uefa.com. "He is the best, or at least among the best in the world in his role. He scores and puts strikers in position to score. He can be crucial for us." Should he lead Italy to success 24 years after their last triumph, Totti will certainly have gone a long way to convincing people that Pelé was right after all.
Lets-Travel-Rome.com/Soccer Tours
Travel Rome Boss Offers "Da Vinci" Tour at Discount Prices.
Following the success of the Da Vinci Code film launch, Lets-Travel-Rome.com and Viator have cut prices on their Vatican guided tours.
Les Sheppard, CEO of Lets-Travel-Rome.com says "Interest in The Vatican is high at the moment, and the movie also launched strongly in Rome, despite the reservations of the Church."
"We get a lot of feedback from visitors to our site", said Les, "who have ultimately booked their tours through Viator, and they tell us they highly rate this new itinerary. The tour guides are mostly local, and are steeped in the kind of detailed information you'd expect. Viator are also continuing to offer an "Angels and Demons" tour, based on the earlier Dan Brown novel, that has had great feedback from our subscribers."
The Vatican tour begins by coach, passing through Piazza della Repubblica, and following the ancient Aurelian walls which once surrounded the ancient city. The route takes in the famous Borghese park and the northern gate of the ancient city leading into Piazza del Popolo, which features an Egyptian obelisk dating back to the time of Ramses II.
Eventually upon arrival at the Vatican Walls a guide will then leads the tour into the Vatican Museums taking the beautiful Spiral staircase and continuing through the Gallery of the Tapestries and the Gallery of the Geographical Maps before arriving in the famous Sistine Chapel with its magnificent fresco of the Last Judgment by Michelangelo.
The tour can also be combined with further features of Christian Rome, continuing to Esquiline Hill where the guide will show you the treasures of the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, then continuing by coach to stop at the Holy Staircase, the Lateran Palace and the Basilica of San Giovanni, the cathedral of Rome (visit inside). Then proceeding along the Ancient Appian Way, passing by the Chapel of Domine Quo Vadis before arriving at the Catacombs, the ancient underground cemeteries and first hiding places for the Christians.
Lets-Travel-Rome.com/Guided Tours
Julius Caesar Remains A Charismatic Drawcard
Julius Caesar was many things, but primarily, he was one of the greatest defenders Rome has ever known. Possessing a fierce passion for his land, he manipulated and coerced his enemies not just by waging war on them, but by concocting strategies that included espionage, deceit and even marriage. His political skill was undisputed and he was also an author of some genius. He earned respect by using his own money to finance his campaigns to be elected, and was unflinchingly committed to decisions required of him and was known to be uncompromising and ruthless. Married three times, and with many mistresses in the wings, Caesar was a man whose passion extended beyond geographical borders. Cleopatra of Egypt intoxicated him and together they planned to rule both Egypt and Rome. Sadly, life did not evolve in this way and Caesar was murdered by his own trusted men.
Today, visitors to Rome can visit several significant sites to pay homage to Julius Caesar, and gain an insight into the man who was named dictator of one of the most powerful empires in the entire world.
Over two thousand years ago, The Forum was constructed in Rome and from there, laws were created, debate and discussion thrived and momentous decisions were made. It is a five acre site, reduced to ruins since looting for building materials was rampant during the Medieval era, yet the historical significance is difficult to miss. Julius Caesar himself ruled from this site, and it was also his residence from 45BC. He directed military manoeuvres, delivered his characteristically charismatic speeches and invited debt in order to stage lavish shows and feasts to win the accord of his people.
Upon Julius Caesar’s death on the March of Ides in 44BC, The Forum became the backdrop for political upheaval, and instability set in within Rome.
In 42BC, after the senate deified him posthumously, Julius Caesar’s great-nephew and adopted son, the Emperor Augustus honoured him by ordering commencement of construction of a new structure, the Temple of Caesar. It was dedicated to his memory and greatness in 29BC and is located on the eastern side of the main square of The Forum. It also marks the location of Caesar’s cremation and today, there is an altar and a recessed semicircular niche to signify where the funeral pyre was lit. Many tourists lament that it seems more like a pile of dirt than the tomb of such an auspicious man and the only marking is a simple plaque to commemorate his life and achievements.
A trip to Rome would seem incomplete for lovers of history, without a visit to Julius Caesar’s stomping ground and tomb. There are guided tours that take in The Forum and provide plenty of information for the inquisitive traveller who will enjoy listening to tales of ancient Rome while walking amongst the ruins that serve as a lasting reminder of a powerful past.
Lets-Travel-Rome.com/Guided Tours
