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."
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Francesco Totti turned 50 on 27 September, marking five decades as a Roma player and Roman. In a reflective personal letter published on his birthday, the former captain celebrated his unique legacy: playing exclusively for his boyhood club and wearing the captain's armband throughout a 25-year career. "I've coronated a dream, my dream — that of a Roman who managed to play only for his city's team," Totti wrote. He declined a return to playing around two years ago, describing the decision as guided by his bond with the city, the club and the supporters. "I would perhaps have been selfish, made Francesco happy but disappointed millions of fans," he explained. At 50, Totti expressed contentment with his dual legacy as both footballer and father of three children. He recalled winning a Serie A title that "means everything to me, born as I was in Porta Metronia," and winning a World Cup he wasn't expected to play in.
The birthday also saw widespread tributes across Rome and beyond. Two artists created murals celebrating Totti across the city—one by Harry Grab depicting him in the 2001 Serie A-winning shirt with a "50" patch, and another by Alessandra Francesca Coppola at San Callisto. FIFA president Gianni Infantino posted a lengthy message on social media, describing Totti as "more than a king – a king who comes from the people" and celebrating his role in Italy's 2006 World Cup triumph. Former Roma defender Vincent Candela reflected on three decades of friendship, recalling their time together during the Scudetto triumph and hoping Totti might return to the club in an official capacity. In an interview with Corriere dello Sport, Totti addressed his departure from a club position, stating that being in the society without an active role made him feel useless. On Paulo Dybala's claim to the number 10 shirt, Totti emphasised: "You have to organise around an important player who stays at Roma for a long time, not just passing through."
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Testo Originale / Source Text
“Cinquant’anni, venticinque dei quali trascorsi con la stessa maglia addosso. Il compleanno di Francesco Totti diventa inevitabilmente l’occasione per riavvolgere il nastro di una storia che a Roma ha pochi paragoni. L’ex capitano giallorosso, nato il 27 settembre 1976, ha raccontato alcuni dei…”
Read the full article in Italian at TeleRadioStereo.
