Braida: Milan made Vieira mistake but Totti ‘would have won the Ballon d’Or’
Braida: Milan made Vieira mistake but Totti ‘would have won the Ballon d’Or’ Former Milan director Ariedo Braida reveals he tried ‘many times’ to sign Francesco Totti and admits the Rossoneri ‘made a mistake’ by selling Patrick Vieira to Arsenal in 1996. Former Milan director Braida reveals Roma and Italy legend Totti repeatedly rejected the chance to join the Rossoneri during his playing career. Braida tried to sign Totti ‘many times’ at Milan CAGLIARI, ITALY – JANUARY 06: AC Milan Sporting Director, Ariedo Braida during the Serie A match between Cagliari and Milan at Stadio Sant’Elia on January 6, 2011 in Cagliari, Italy.
(Photo by Enrico Locci/Getty Images) “I tried to sign him many times. Both when he was a youngster and after he had already become an established champion,” Braida told Tuttosport. Totti scored 307 goals in 785 competitive matches for Roma, where he spent his entire career.
“But he always kept his word. He didn’t want to leave Roma, and in fact, he stayed there his entire career. I respect him a lot for that, even though every time we meet, I tell him: ‘Francesco, it’s a shame you didn’t listen to me.
You would have won the Ballon d’Or. ” Braida contributed to building some of the most successful and exciting teams in the history of the game at San Siro, but naturally, there were some errors too. When asked which player did not live up to expectations, the ex-Milan director replied: “Easy.
Patrick Vieira. A formidable midfielder. “We signed him in November 1995 when he was only 19.