Francesco Toldo has revisited some of the most important moments of his career, touching on nights with Italy, his years at Inter and his time at Fiorentina. In his account, the former goalkeeper reflects on his rivalry with Gianluigi Buffon, his relationship with Julio Cesar and the long training sessions with Gabriel Batistuta.
From Euro 2000 to the belief he was the best
When Toldo’s name is mentioned, one of the memories that immediately returns is Euro 2000, where he became a central figure in the semi-final against the Netherlands with his saves from the penalty spot.
Now 54, he sees football as a closed chapter, but admits that at the peak of his career he was convinced he was at the highest level. Even when he ended up on the bench at Inter after Julio Cesar’s arrival, he says he considered himself “the best goalkeeper in the world.”
He said no to Barcelona and Bayern, stayed for Inter
Despite interest from major European clubs, Toldo says he chose not to leave. He mentions Liverpool, Bayern and, earlier, Barcelona as teams that wanted him, but his decision was to continue with Inter.
According to him, the trophies won even as a substitute carried special weight. He recalls that in the Treble season he had decided privately that he would leave if the team won, and that is what happened.
Buffon, a great rival but not a friend
One of the most direct parts of his account concerns his relationship with Gianluigi Buffon. Toldo admits there was no friendship between them, but rather a strong rivalry built on competition for a place in the national team.
He also recalls the goal against Juventus at San Siro, when he says he had warned coach Hector Cuper that he would go up into the box if the team was behind. Toldo also mentions another episode, this time in a training match before the 2002 World Cup, where he says he scored again against Buffon.
The relationship with Julio Cesar and the wounds of a career
Unlike the rivalry with Buffon, he speaks about Julio Cesar in completely different tones. Toldo says there was competition between them, but also fairness, describing the relationship as good from the beginning.
When he pauses on the hardest moment of his career, he leaves little room for interpretation: May 5 remains, in his view, the day that marked him the most and still hurts.
Batistuta, marathon training and a spectacle for the fans
With particular nostalgia, he recalls his years at Fiorentina and his relationship with Gabriel Batistuta, whom he considers one of the strongest and most complete strikers he has seen.
According to Toldo, the two shared the same inclination for sacrifice. He says they spent hours in training, with Batistuta shooting continuously and him trying to stop the efforts, while fans stayed behind to watch them even after the official sessions had ended.
In the end, the former Italian goalkeeper makes it clear that he no longer misses football. For him, leaving the pitch was a liberation rather than a void.
Toldo’s account offers a portrait, without much embellishment, of a career built on competition, sacrifice and episodes that have remained in the memory of Italian football for a long time.
From the night of Euro 2000 to the rivalry with Buffon and the endless duels with Batistuta in training, the former goalkeeper revisits a period in which his role often wavered between protagonist and the shadow of the bench, but never between strength of character.