Totti hits back at fake injury claims

The talismanic forward refuted claims he had been feigning injury to avoid playing for the Azzurri in their European Championship qualifier in Azerbaijan.

Totti said: "Someone said that I had imaginary injuries and had made them up. This made me feel bad.

"It was a very real injury as the Italian medical staff confirmed.

"Considering the long list of injuries I had during the season, someone suggested I made up the injury on purpose to get out of playing for the Italian national team.

"But I have confronted that person who made the claim and now I just want to return to the side and take part against Finland in our next game."

Totti talked about his recent dismissal against Arsenal in the Champions League and attacked those quick to condemn him: "Whoever speaks out about me is a puppet.

"Uefa cleared me of any wrongdoing but in Italy they like to judge me with more severity."