Legendary Inter Milan President Drops Bombshell On 30th Anniversary Since Purchasing Nerazzurri: “Roma Offered Me Totti” | OneFootball

Legendary Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti admits he had a chance to sign iconic Roma captain Francesco Totti.

During a comprehensive interview with Corriere della Serra via FCInterNews, Moratti addressed Sunday’s Derby d’Italia.

Today is a landmark day for the 79-year-old Italian billionaire.

Indeed, it’s been 30 years since he purchased Inter Milan.

Massimo Moratti would sell part of his Nerazzurri shares to Indonesian businessman Erick Thohir in 2013.

Afterward, he renounced his ownership in 2016.

Unfortunately, Juventus spoiled Moratti’s anniversary by beating Inter 1-0 last weekend.

However, Simone Inzaghi left Turin with a bitter taste after his team wasted a catalog of chances in the first half.

“Too many wasted chances and too much pressure on poor Lautaro. Too much. Bad, bad,” Moratti commented on the game.

Meanwhile, he also expressed his affection for Juventus boss Thiago Motta.

“I love Motta. With all the players from the Treble-winning team, I have an eternal bond. They are like my adopted sons.”

Massimo Moratti Confesses Francesco Totti Could’ve Joined Inter Milan

Totti spent his entire career at the Stadio Olimpico, becoming a symbol of Roma.

However, one of Italy’s greatest strikers could’ve signed for Inter.

GENOA, ITALY – MAY 18: Francesco Totti of AS Roma attends the Serie A match between Genoa CFC and AS Roma at Stadio Luigi Ferraris on May 18, 2014 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by Pier Marco Tacca/Getty Images)

“Roma was drowning in debt at the time,” Moratti admitted.

“Their president was so desperate that he even offered me Totti – while crying.

“Maybe Totti would have chosen to stay anyway, but we at Inter decided to let it go. These are football stories, stories of emotions.”

Moratti explains Inter’s strength during his tenure.

“We had massive appeal and financial power at one point, we could have signed almost anyone,” he was adamant.

“We tried everything for Iniesta – diplomatic approaches, negotiations, intermediaries.

“But no chance. Barcelona would have sold anyone except Iniesta, no matter how crazy our offer was.”

Lionel Messi was also on the club’s radar.

“We followed him at the U18 World Cup and were ready to sign him,” Moratti claimed.

“But when I learned what Barcelona was doing for his health issues, I backed off. I swear.”

Iconic Inter Milan President Recalls Famous Transfers

Javier Zanetti was the leader of Moratti’s Inter, yet he wasn’t the club’s first choice in the transfer market.

“We were following Ortega, not Zanetti or Rambert,” Moratti admitted.

“But watching Ortega, I saw this Zanetti guy. I sent Suarez to Argentina to watch him closely. He called to ask if we should proceed.

“I told him to wait, woke up my kids, and rewatched the tapes. Then I gave the green light.”

Moreover, Moratti signed Ivan Zamorano without watching him in action.

However, the Argentine left his heart and soul on the Giuseppe Meazza pitch.

“He put his soul into every match,” Moratti added. “He was an Interista at heart. Before every game, he was so tense that he would throw up.”

More recently, Moratti brought Wesley Sneijder to Serie A.

The Dutch midfielder won a memorable treble under Jose Mourinho in 2010.

“A bartender in Forte dei Marmi told me we would win everything if we signed Sneijder,” Moratti stated.

“He was right. I called Branca, who asked Mourinho if he wanted Sneijder. Mou replied, ‘Sneijder? Oh, absolutely!’ And so we signed him.”

Before that, Brazilian Ronaldo amazed Italian football in the Inter jersey.

“Being Brazilian, he loved being pursued and flattered,” Moratti continued.

“We were on the phone a thousand times a day. One moment he’d say ‘Yes, I’ll sign,’ then ‘No, I need to think.’ It was a never-ending cycle.”