Donadoni: Totti and Nesta are like two kids prentending stomachache

Some Updates

from gazzetta 01/24/08

After his comments were covered nation wide, Donadoni called Nesta and Totti to exlplain (in gazzetta’s words “to avoid other diplomatic misfortunes”). Nesta responded smoothly and welcomed the explanations without problems. However it seems Donadoni did not have luck to reach Totti.

Totti and Nesta are like two kids prentending stomachache

from ANSA, gazzetta and Sky 01/23/08

When visiting elementary school Cisano Bergamasco at his hometown Bergamo, Donadoni answered a question from a child who is curious about why Totti and Nesta do not play for the Nazionale anymore, in an unusual and ironic way:

It’s a little bit like two kids that pretend stomachache to avoid tests.

This sentence has been covered so much in the newsmedia that Donadoni thinks it is necessary to clarify. He says with Totti and Nesta, he is always clear and respectful.

I was trying to deliver an idea to the kids who are just old enough to understand certain things. I tried to make an analog that I don’t know if it’s a good one or not. What i wanted to say is that, sometimes, we all have difficulties, needs, and there are high expectations. And then the one facing all this has to make certain choices, similar to the case when a boy who may think he is not ready for a written or an oral (test) at school, and then pretends to have sore stomach to try to avoid it.

Obviously, in the case of these two players, it is “more serious than a sore stomach”:

As professionals, they also consider other aspects. I have great respect for all. I am very thoughtful and careful in listening. My words had great significance in the case of Totti and Nesta before their announcement. I knew what their reasons and problems were. Then it has been covered a lot, when there was no need to say much instead, but just to understand and respect them.

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