Totti outburst adds to Roma troubles

Roma, who visit Napoli in Serie A on Sunday, quickly played down Totti's comments which followed criticism of his missed penalty in last Monday's 1-1 draw at home to Juventus.

Sporting manager Walter Sabatini praised Totti for showing his emotion and said the 35-year-old's comments were made in the heat of the moment.

"I don't like calm waters, he has been hurt by the criticism," he told Sky Sports Italia. "He has been spontaneous and has done the right thing by saying it.

"Totti's not going anywhere, he is Roma," Sabatini added. "He will continue to represent Roma for many years."

Totti, who has often been relegated to the substitutes' bench by coach Luis Enrique, said: "If I'm the problem, then I'll think about [leaving].

"It's not because of the club or the coach or my team mates, I dislike things a few fans have said against me.

"If things carry on in this way, I will continue to think about it."

Roma, taken over in April by a consortium led by United States businessman Thomas DiBenedetto, have struggled to live up to expectations which were heightened by a summer spending spree and Luis Enrique's comment that he wanted them to play like Barcelona.