Taylor reflects on pressure and doubt as referee steps down a month after retirement

Francesco Totti marked his 50th birthday on 27 September reflecting on a career spent entirely at AS Roma. The former captain, born on 27 September 1976 and wearing the same giallorossi shirt for 25 of those 50 years, granted a lengthy interview to Corriere dello Sport director Ivan Zazzaroni to discuss the most intimate moments of his time at the club and his relationship with the city. Totti revisited his final day as a player, seated on the steps of the Olimpico stadium. "I was afraid, I said so," he recalled. "In the end when you turn the page you never know what you might find. In that moment I thought back to all 25 years spent with Roma, with the same shirt, with the people." On a potential return to the club in an executive role, he stated: "It's not a sore point. I've always said that marriages are always made by two people." He explained his departure from a club position: "Being in the society and doing nothing, mentally the way I am, made me feel useless. One extra person." Totti addressed the number 10 shirt and Paulo Dybala's claim to it. "I think you don't give out a 10 when you've had 5 or 6 good matches. You have to organise around an important player who stays at Roma for a long time, not just passing through." He spoke of reconciliation with Luciano Spalletti, saying: "I made mistakes too. As you grow you understand your errors." Most significantly on his birthday, he said: "Roma gave me the chance to realise my dream. To wear one shirt only, the number 10, and to be captain. I owe everything to the city of Rome—I've always felt protected and I still do. We did something different, something exceptional."

Vincent Candela has reflected on his 30-year friendship with Francesco Totti in an interview marking the Roma legend's 50th birthday. Candela, who played alongside Totti during his time at the club, recalled the moment that defined their era together: "If I close my eyes, the first image that comes to mind is the Scudetto goal against Parma. That day Francesco, as a Roman and Roma supporter, closed a beautiful chapter." Candela arrived at Roma when Totti was younger and more reserved. "When I came to Rome, he was a bit younger and shy. I was among the first to live in Casal Palocco and I convinced him to come there too. It was an intense period—I had a great relationship with many players, but with Francesco it was special. We had fun on and off the pitch. We often went out on motorbikes for dinner, also with Di Biagio and Petruzzi." The pair never had a serious falling out. "We never argued. There were discussions when we disagreed about something, but always with great respect and admiration." Candela described Totti's leadership style, particularly when Aldair handed him the captain's armband: "When Aldair gave him the band, Francesco was a bit embarrassed. He was a man of few words, though he observed everything. He was more of a leader on the pitch, where he always demanded the ball, especially in difficult moments." On their shared trophy success, Candela said: "We celebrated the Scudetto for six months, but you can't tell it all. Winning with him and celebrating at the Circus Maximus with all those Roma fans was wonderful. I don't consider the Parma one an assist—it was just a pass and Francesco struck it extraordinarily. The one against Real Madrid, though, that's an assist. I dribbled a few players and he pushed the ball in." When asked what he wishes for Totti at 50, Candela replied: "A lot of serenity. He always seems happy, but lately he has lived through particular and certainly not easy moments." On a potential return to Roma's hierarchy, he added: "It would be nice to see him back at Roma, especially for the centenary. For Francesco, for the club and for the fans."

Vincent Candela, Francesco Totti's teammate for eight seasons and close friend, has shared his memories of the Roma legend on his 50th birthday today. Speaking to Il Tempo, the former French left-back recalled Totti as both a player and a person, describing how he approached the most intense matches. "At first he speaks little, but when you get to know him you discover a fun person," Candela said. "Totti always makes a certain impression, but he's approachable, a man of the people. I never saw him refuse an autograph." Candela noted that Totti's popularity never changed his connection with supporters. On receiving the captain's armband from Aldair, Totti was initially uncomfortable with the role. "He was a man of few words, though he observed everything. He was more of a leader on the pitch, where he always asked for the ball especially in moments of difficulty." Candela also reflected on Totti's particular attachment to the Derby della Capitale, which the Roma native felt deeply but tried to conceal. Before derby matches, Totti and Candela would play football tennis to ease the tension—a habit that infuriated manager Fabio Capello. "He used to get furious," Candela recalled. For Totti's milestone birthday, Candela offered his wishes: "So much peace of mind. He always seems happy, but recently he has lived through some particular and certainly difficult moments."