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Francesco Totti marked his 50th birthday on 27 September with reflections on his Roma career and a revelation about the club's recruitment. In a long interview and in his book *Oltre*, published on his birthday, Totti spoke about the debt he owes to Roma: "Roma has allowed me to realise my dream, to wear a single shirt, number 10, and to be captain." On the historic number 10, Totti insisted it should go to a player who could stay at Roma long-term rather than a passing figure. Totti also disclosed a curious behind-the-scenes transfer story involving the club's current squad. During a dinner with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini in recent months, Totti recommended several potential signings. Among them was Santiago Castro, the forward who arrived from Bologna this summer. Totti recalled: "I suggested an attacker to Gasperini—Castro, a winger, and a midfielder." Gasperini, the article reports, held a positive view of the Argentine's profile, saying: "Castro appeals to me a great deal; I think we see football in the same way." Separately, Gianluca Mancini will not travel with Italy for the Nations League away fixture against Turkey. Roberto Mancini, the Italy coach, has opted to manage the squad's workload, leaving ten players at Coverciano including Roma's defender. Daniele Ghilardi, also of Roma, has been called up and will be part of the Italian delegation for the match scheduled for tomorrow evening in Bursa. Mancini will follow a personalised training programme at the Italian Football Federation's technical centre. Former Roma players paid tribute to Totti on his milestone birthday. Fabrizio Aspri, speaking on Radio Radio, reflected on his character: "I remember feeling unwell after the goal against Genoa. I liked Totti as a man. Francesco is kind and good. At his first American press conference he said: 'Fabrizio Aspri doesn't start the press conference.' Totti is many things, you can't capture him in a book. The Totti I experienced was a daily Totti—like the desk mate we never had. If Totti missed a match, the airport was empty. His simplicity was the most beautiful thing about him."

AS Roma marked Francesco Totti's birthday with a 42-second video message on social media, a gesture that underscores the distance between the club and its former captain. The post carried only the slogan "Happy birthday Francesco"—a brief acknowledgment of a player who scored 307 goals and made 786 appearances in the Giallorossi shirt throughout his career, the only colours he ever wore as a player. The coldness of the greeting reflects the wider chill in Roma's relationship with Totti under Friedkin Group ownership. Where previous management pushed him out, the current regime keeps him at a remove—even as head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has reportedly made clear he sees Totti as a resource rather than a burden. According to the article, Gasperini has discussed Totti's views on squad needs, including advice he offered: "I suggested Castro, a winger and a midfielder." Santiago Castro is currently used as a deputy to Donyell Malen. Despite Gasperini's support, the Friedkin ownership remains silent on any formal role for Totti, reportedly delegating peripheral matters to CEO Galantic—a figure who had only marginal contact with Totti during John Friedkin's time on Pallotta's board. The article notes that the ownership has expressed a wish to see Totti placed in a football governance role alongside Giovanni Malagò, though such an arrangement remains unresolved.

Francesco Totti, who turns 50 today, has disclosed in his new book Oltre that he personally recommended Santiago Castro to head coach Gian Piero Gasperini during a dinner in March. Castro, the Argentine forward who arrived this summer for €35 million from Bologna, was one of three players Totti suggested to Gasperini at that meeting. Totti told Gasperini: "I recommended an attacker to you, Castro, a winger and a midfielder." Gasperini's response was positive on the forward, saying: "Castro I really like too, I think we see football the same way." The coach also noted concerns about one of the other suggestions, saying: "The winger costs a lot, I hadn't thought about the midfielder and it wouldn't be a bad idea." The book also covers other moments from Totti's life, including a clash with Spalletti, the beginning of his relationship with Noemi, and the possibility of a return to Roma.