John Carew praises Francesco Totti as the “strongest” teammate he’s played with and details his move from the Premier League into acting. Betting impact: limited for elite competitions, but punters in exhibition or legends markets may favour Totti-linked selections and Roma nostalgia specials; player-reputation props (man-of-the-match, charity match scorers) could see slight market shifts.
John Carew: From Premier League Striker to Screen Presence
Former striker John Carew, who enjoyed spells at Roma, Valencia, Besiktas, Lyon and Aston Villa, has reflected on his playing career and surprising second act as an actor. The Norway international retired in 2012 and later pursued roles in film and television, citing a passion for exploring emotion through performance.
How Acting Began: A Late-Career Switch
Carew says the idea of acting took root in 2009 while he was at Aston Villa. Initially doubtful, he began training and now lists a dozen screen credits across genres. Standout projects include Maleficent: Mistress of Evil, filmed in London with Angelina Jolie and nominated for awards, and a role in the Netflix series Home for Christmas, season three.
Loan to Roma and Life Under Capello
A six-month loan to Roma brought Carew into the orbit of Fabio Capello and a dressing room full of characters. Capello pushed for the move from Valencia, where Carew had won a La Liga title and featured in a Champions League final. He remembers Antonio Cassano as a prankster and Cristian Delvecchio as a music fan who loved American hip-hop.
Totti: The Strongest Teammate
Carew singled out Francesco Totti as “the strongest player I’ve ever played with,” highlighting the legendary Italian’s influence during his brief time at Roma and underlining the respect top-level professionals still hold for Totti’s technical and competitive qualities.
Aston Villa, Royal Backing and Premier League Success
A move to Aston Villa followed spells elsewhere, with Carew recalling a memorable encounter with a notable Villa supporter that helped persuade him to join the club. He delivered consistent returns in England, recording consecutive seasons with double-digit goal tallies in the Premier League and later watching Villa’s promotion success with long-standing supporters.
Key Career Notes
Carew’s résumé includes a La Liga title with Valencia, appearances in major European competition finals, and productive Premier League seasons. He later embraced acting as a new professional chapter, balancing his football legacy with screen work.
Clarifying the Riise Incident
Reports of a severe altercation with John Arne Riise while on national team duty were downplayed by Carew, who described a heated training clash with insults and a shove rather than a deliberate injury. Both players later apologised, and Carew stresses it was part of the game’s emotional intensity rather than a lasting feud.
Europa League: All you need to know about Bologna vs. Roma as Aston Villa and Lille wait
Former Roma striker John Carew says Francesco Totti is the ‘strongest’ player he’s ever played...
Football Italia
