Roma’s Francesco Totti celebrates his 4oth birthday on September 27. Now in his 25th season, the forward has built an unassailable legacy at the Stadio Olimpico.
Modern football and its many mercenaries is often widely condemned by those who lived through bygone eras. Claims that the game is not what it once was are made regularly, and one leading argument made is often the lack of loyalty of today’s players.
With the grotesque amount of money in football, cases of true one-club-men are becoming fewer and further between. Francesco Totti, however, is one example, who is the living embodiment of what not only his club, but his city represents.
On March 28, 1993, as a fresh-faced 16-year-old, he was introduced as a Roma player for the first time. The 1993-94 campaign would prove to be just the first of an astonishing 25 in the shirt of his boyhood club, and few could have known then just what a star he would go on to be.
It took until the following season for the youngster to fulfil his dreams of scoring for Roma but when that moment came, he was understandably overjoyed. Jubilantly jumping around punching the air, the 17-year-old still exudes that same passion for his club when he scores now. Questioned about the emotion of scoring that first goal, Totti struggles to draw comparisons with any other feeling.
“You have your first kiss because you see others kissing – you’re not transmitting passion or love,” he said, smiling, to Four Four Two in 2013. “The goal, however, you have always dreamed of.”
Not too long after, it became apparent beyond doubt that this kid was special. By 1998, he was Serie A’s youngest captain at just 22.
Goals proved to be a dime a dozen for the forward, who, reached 250 in Serie A just two days shy of his 40th birthday; of course, each of these coming for Roma. His tally is only bettered by Silvio Piola (274), and one that any traditional prima punta would aspire to reach.
Describing Totti purely as a striker fails to offer true insight into his style. Although he has played as a traditional No.9 at times throughout his long career, labelling him as such does not do him justice. Neither, despite the number on his back, does describing him as a traditional 10.
In front of goal, Totti is cold-blooded and clinical. When deeper and in possession, looking to create, Totti can pick a pass better than most in the game – even to this day, as he demonstrated against Crotone earlier this month with a no-look pass to send Edin Dzeko through on goal.
Greats of football often become immortalised by having particular moves named in their honour; if one is to be named after Totti, it will likely be the chip, or cucchiaio. If footballers had a trademark finishing move, then this would undisputedly be his. Arguably his best ever goal was of this kind and came against Inter, which saw a delightful run end with a sublime lobbed effort from 20 yards.
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oev5maQIVas[/youtube]
During the course of his playing days, he has worked with many coaches, but few appreciated his brilliance quite as much as Zdenek Zeman, and on Totti’s 40th birthday it feels fitting to end on a quote from the founder of ‘Zemanlandia’.
“Who are the best five Italian players? Totti, Totti, Totti, Totti, Totti. Francesco has carried Roma on his back. He is the only champion of Italian football.”
With Roma often referred to as the Eternal City, it would be hard to think of a place more befitting of playing host to the career of Roma’s perpetually reigning King.
What are your favourite Francesco Totti moments? We would love to hear from you, have your say in the comments below or get in touch on Twitter.
