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Not every footballer gets referred to as ‘Il Bimbo d'Oro’ (The Golden Boy), ‘Il Re di Roma’ (The King of Rome),’ Er Pupone ‘(The Big Baby), or ‘Il Gladiatore’ (The Gladiator). With numerous records to his name, he is an household name in the Serie A record books. No prizes for guessing who this living legend is as the AS Roma club captain and living legend Francesco Totti is one of the most respected players ever in Italian football.
It is this limelight that, every child from Rome wishes to achieve when he starts playing football. On to his twenty-first year at the club now, some suggest that this might well be his final season playing for the Giallorossi. So let us take a look at his football journey so far.
Totti’s beginnings and records
Francesco Totti was born on 27th September 1976 in Rome, Italy. He started playing football when he was 8 and was spotted at an early age by AC Milan scouts. His parents turned down the offer as they wanted young Francesco to remain in the city; this would go on to be a decision that would make history in Italian football. He later went on to join the AS Roma youth team
With over 230 goals to his name Francesco Totti is idolized by many, not only within Italy, but also around the globe. He made his first appearance for his club on 28th March 1993, a day after which there has been no looking back. Totti has made 561 appearances (as of today) for his beloved hometown club. He won the Serie A with AS Roma in 2001 and has won the coveted “Italian Player of the year” award, a staggering five times. He was also a part of the World Cup winning Italian team in 2006 and also a finalist in Euro 2000 with the Azzuri.
Flexible and fluid playing style
Having played under 16 managers at Roma, Francesco Totti has been employed in various positions throughout his career. The neutral football fans will however remember him for his role in the Luciano Spalletti era, a phase during which he won the ‘Best Goal in Serie A’ award in the 2005-06 season. He played in the ‘false 9’ position, where he would be the sole guy up top, but would fall into midfield to help create space for the attacking midfielders.
He was later reverted to the ‘trequartista’ role by Luis Enrique in 2011. Whatever position he played in, he netted many crucial goals in the Italian League as well as in European competitions. He had the rare ability of being at the right place at the right time. Totti also has an eye for picking the crucial pass, and makes it look very simple with his finesse. His elegant style of play was very easy on the eye, and yet, posed a great threat to the opposition’s defense. Francesco Totti has made the ‘number-10’ role so popular in modern football.
Ability to score great goals
Known for his abilities from dead-ball situations, he is a regular penalty kick-taker at the club and has scored many thunderbolts from outside the box as well. Out of the many memorable goals scored by Totti, one of the all time favourites is the goal against Inter Milan in October 2005, where he caught the goal-keeper out of position with an audacious chip from well outside the box.
Another very popular one is the screamer from an unbelievable angle, against Sampdoria in November 2006, followed by his famous” thumb in mouth” celebration. These goals help us understand the sheer brilliance of the genius that Totti is.
Loyalty to Roma
Totti’s passion, loyalty and love for his club distinguished him from other great Italian strikers such as Filippo Inzaghi, Paolo Rossi and Alessandro Del Piero. He is one of the very few professionals to have spent their entire career at a single club, putting him in the company of people like Paolo Maldini, Ryan Giggs, and Steven Gerrard. 21 years have passed since he started playing, yet he still continues to lead AS Roma by example.
Many might argue that at the age of 37, we have seen all that Totti has to offer and that he should hang up his boots, but I’d beg to differ. I believe he has something left to show us in his drawer, to serve as a fitting end to his mesmerizing career. He may not have the legs that he had as a 20 year old, but he still has the magic and panache in him to go on.
When Totti decides to call it a day, he will join a list containing names such as Javier Zanetti and Paolo Maldini, players to have spent their entire careers at one club. European and Italian football will not be the same without this magician, or to use the famous catch phrase ”No Totti, No Party”
