Italy's Francesco Totti announced his retirement from international football on Friday. The 30-year-old Roma ace, who had not represented the Azzurri since they won the FIFA World Cup™ last July after taking a sabbatical from international duty, finally called it quits due to the physical demands of playing so many matches.

"My main problem is physical," he told a news conference at Roma's Trigoria training ground. "I came to the conclusion that I cannot play in so many matches in a year. I had to give up something and unfortunately it's the national team because I can't give up Roma. They are my priority."

In September 2006, Totti, the Roma captain who was top scorer in Serie A last season with 26 goals, announced he was ready to return to the international set up, but only for important matches. However, his offer to play part-time for his country did not go down well with Italy coach Roberto Donadoni and several of his fellow internationals

Totti said it was better to quit altogether rather than create animosity within the national team. "I didn't want to create problems with the group and the staff," he added. I'm sorry, but my health is the most important thing."

Totti, who made his Italy debut in October 1998, broke his left ankle in February 2006, but managed to recover in time for Germany 2006. The talismanic Roman struggled for fitness in the early matches and was criticised by the Italian media for his performances.

He was dropped for the second round match against Australia, but came off the bench to score the winning penalty in stoppage time. Totti showed nerves of steel to slam home the spot-kick. As his fitness improved, so did his performances, and he showed touches of genius in the 2-0 extra-time defeat of host nation Germany in the semi-finals.

Totti is regarded as one of Italy's finest players, but has scored just nine goals in his 58 appearances for his country. Perhaps his finest hour was at UEFA EURO 2000, where he helped Italy reach the final which they lost to France on a golden goal.