Totti surprise at FIFA snub
The shortlist for the 2007 FIFA World Player of the Year award has been announced and Roma superstar Francesco Totti has been left scratching his head wondering just what more he needed to do to earn a place on the list.
The Roma skipper had one of the best seasons of his career, finishing as the top scorer in Serie A and winning the European Golden Boot.
The playmaker had missed a large part of the 2005-06 season with a serious injury but bounced back in true style as he fired the Giallorossi to second in the Serie A table, finishing behind eventual winners Inter Milan.
However, it seems the bosses at FIFA were unimpressed as Totti was overlooked, as were other star names such as David Villa, Luca Toni and Inter striker Zlathan Ibrahimovic.
“What more could I do?” asked Totti.
“I won the European Golden Boot and I was top-scorer in the Italian championship.
“Furthermore Roma came second in Serie A, we won the Coppa Italia and the Italian Supercup. I also made may mark in the Champions League. I don’t know.”
The omission of Totti from the list has led to criticism of the voting system, with many remembering the shambolic way in which the 2006 FIFA World Cup Player of the Tournament was crowned.
Voting was made at half-time at the World Cup final, leading to French star Zinedine Zidane winning the award - just an hour before he was sent off in disgrace after headbutting Marco Materazzi.
AC Milan playmaker Kaka is favourite to win the award ahead of Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi and Portugal and Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo.
