ROME - AS Roma striker Francesco Totti denied reports on Thursday that he is ready to return to international action, saying comments he made in jest have been misinterpreted.
AS Roma captain Francesco Totti is injured during their Champions League Group F football match against Sporting Lisbon in Olimpic Stadium, 23 October 2007 in Rome. Roma's hopes of securing qualification to the Champions League knock-out stages have been hit by a triple injury blow. [Agencies] The Roma captain told GQ magazine that he would be willing to come out of international retirement for Euro 2008 if Italy coach Roberto Donadoni needed him because of injuries to other players.
"I was asked for fun, if I would go to the European championship if all the forwards got injured," Totti told the Gazzetta dello Sport's Web site (www.gazzetta.it).
"I was asked an absurd question and I gave an absurd answer. That does not mean I have changed my mind about my future with the national team. It's a closed chapter."
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.
"This clarification is necessary out of respect to my (former) team mates, who deservedly qualified for Euro 2008," said the 31-year-old, who made 58 appearances for Italy scoring nine goals.
"I'm sure they will continue to do well".