Totti considers retirement from Italy's team
(AP)
Updated: 2006-07-10 16:16

BERLIN -- Francesco Totti is spending the night Italy won the World Cup deciding whether to retire from the national team.

On Monday, the Italian playmaker was expected to announce his decision.

"I want to dedicate myself to my family and be with them more," Totti, 29, said. "There are too many training camps, too much pressure. I'll talk with my wife tonight and if she says I can continue, that's what I'll do."

Totti didn't look pleased when he left Sunday's final in the 61st minute to be replaced by AS Roma teammate Daniele De Rossi.

His exit meant the team's best penalty kick taker was on the bench when Italy won the match 5-3 in a shootout after playing France 1-1 through extra time.

Totti's only goal of the tournament was a decisive penalty on the final play of Italy's second-round win over Australia.

"I'm not upset that I didn't shoot penalties. The guys were impeccable," he said. "Maybe it was destiny."

Totti dedicated his part in the victory to his first son, Cristian. The young Totti was born in November and attended his first game.

"I'm happy he saw his dad become world champion," Totti said.

While Totti might retire, defender Alessandro Nesta isn't so inclined.

At 30, Nesta indicated he wants more national team duty.

The next World Cup is scheduled for South Africa in 2010.

"There's still Johannesburg," Nesta said.

Nesta, who missed Italy's last four games due to a bad thigh also had his 1998 World Cup cut short by injury, took his turn holding the cup.

"I played the first three games," Nesta said. "I'm upset to have missed the final, but that's the way things go. I'm happy to have won the World Cup."

Updated on Monday, Jul 10,