It has almost been a month since Roma captain Francesco Totti broke his leg after a tackle from Empoli’s Richiard Vanigli. With the World Cup less than three months away you can forgive Italian media for obsessing about Totti’s injury and convalescence.

Totti may have suffered his share of ignominy but he is yet to fully fall from grace in Italy. His form leading up to the injury was mercurial, marked by creativity, strength and maturity. Indeed, it can be argued that the first two qualities have always been part of Totti’s football personality but the third has been more elusive.

That has all changed and even Italian coach Marcello Lippi has frequently alluded to Totti’s newly found mature persona.

But what good is a makeover without a pageant? Totti needs to show the world that he is ready to lead Italy to great things.

The 29-year-old will have to do it the hard way it seems but there is an inspiring precedent he can refer to.

The name Paolo Rossi is synonymous with heroism in Italian football folklore but the 1982 World Cup winner also had a less flattering side to his career.

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Well, not quite yet. Energy Sports drink company Red Bull has acquired their second soccer/football team, formerly known as the New York Metrostars. The deal is believed to be around $100 million, now sees the club renamed to Red Bull New York. However is this deal really suiting anyone, else?

This is another major sporting coup for Red Bull. They own a number of sports teams, including Red Bull Ferrari, they have racing assets in the United States, and Red Bull Salzburg - an Austrian Soccer Team. However will acquiring a soccer/football team in the United States have more of a positive spin on U.S. Soccer?

The current frenzy over the deal has opened many eyes on the U.S. Major League. This takeover is major. Red Bull New York has a lot of people wondering – those that are not familiar with the U.S. version: who the hell are the Metrostars, well were? What we should be asking is, are they going to wipe the slate clean and fail to recognize whatever history this club had?

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