Totti on his 50th birthday: 'I would give everything to play again'

Roma legends and media figures paid tribute to Francesco Totti in radio comments collected by Romanews.eu. Roberto Pruzzo told Radio Radio: "Totti is the living history of Roma. It seems like only yesterday that he had the desire to kick and tackle. I wish him the best." Fabrizio Aspri reflected on Totti's character beyond his technical abilities, describing a humble and kind man whose presence defined everyday life at the club. "I remember feeling unwell after his goal against Genoa," Aspri said. "The Totti I knew was an everyday Totti. He seemed like a schoolmate we could never have had. If Totti missed a game, the airport was empty. Simplicity was the most beautiful thing he had. I remember in an interview with Cassano, I asked what his dream was. Cassano said he wanted to become a champion and win the Ballon d'Or—something Totti would never win. Francesco woke up and laughing, with his usual irony, said: 'With that head you've got, you won't go anywhere.'" Andrea Pugliese, who grew up alongside Totti, described his departure as a watershed moment. "I grew up with Francesco. The most beautiful day was his farewell. I had never seen so many people cry for a footballer. For many, a cycle ended," Pugliese said on Radio Radio. The tributes underscored Totti's singular place in Roma's identity and the emotional impact his 25-year career at the club left on those who witnessed it.

Francesco Totti turned 50 on 27 September 2026, marking 50 years since his birth on the same date in 1976. In a lengthy interview with Corriere dello Sport director Ivan Zazzaroni, the Roma legend reflected on his career, his departure from the club and his thoughts on the current squad. On the failure to return to Roma in an executive role, Totti said: "It is not a sore point, no. I have always said that marriages are made by two people. I left a director's position with three years on my contract — I emphasise this because it seems I stole money. Being in the club and doing nothing mentally made me feel useless. One too many." Regarding Paulo Dybala's appointment as the wearer of his retired number 10, Totti expressed reservations about the timing. "I think you don't give a ten when a player has played five or six good matches. You have to set up an important player who stays at Roma for a long time, not just passing through. But ultimately it is the club that must decide — what matters is that they wear it as they should." On reconciliation with Luciano Spalletti, Totti said: "I did it for a laugh. I was pleased to meet him — sometimes you have to set aside what happened. I also made certain mistakes. As you grow you understand the errors." He added: "To Roma I have only to say thank you — it gave me the chance to realise my dream. To wear just one shirt, the number 10 and be captain. To the city of Rome I owe everything — I have always felt protected and I still do. We did something different, something exceptional."

Francesco Totti turned 50 today, 27 September 2026, half a century marked by his entire playing career in giallorosso. He left Roma with 307 goals across 785 official matches — the club's all-time leading goalscorer and second in Serie A history with 250 league goals. His first professional goal came on 4 September 1994 against Foggia at the Olimpico when he was not yet 18; his last competitive strike was on 1 February 2017, a Coppa Italia goal against Cesena, with his final Serie A goal dated 25 September 2016 against Torino. Totti's career was defined by milestones etched into Roma's history. His 100th Serie A goal came on 3 October 2004 with a free-kick against Inter. His 200th goal overall was celebrated against Torino in the Coppa Italia on 16 January 2008. His 300th goal across all competitions arrived on 20 September 2015 against Sassuolo. He scored in every day of the week, every month of the year, every round of the league — a consistency that spanned an entire generation of football. Among his greatest moments was the goal on 17 June 2001 that effectively won Roma their third Serie A title in 59 years. In a vital Scudetto match, a Tommasi flick found Batistuta at the edge of the box, who fed Totti arriving at pace. His right-footed strike was struck with such force it beat Gianluigi Buffon and burst the Olimpico open. Montella and Batistuta added further goals; Di Vaio replied, but the title was Roma's, returning the Scudetto to the club after 18 years away from rivals Lazio.