Totti on his 50th birthday: Roma gave me the chance to fulfil my dream

Francesco Totti turned 50 today, and FIFA president Gianni Infantino was among those offering congratulations on social media. Infantino posted several photographs of the Roma legend alongside a lengthy message celebrating his career and legacy. Infantino's tribute emphasized Totti's unwavering devotion to Roma and his place in Italian football history. The FIFA president described him as someone whose impact extends far beyond the pitch, highlighting his role as a symbol of the club and as a member of Italy's 2006 World Cup-winning squad. Infantino wrote: "Rome, the Azzurri, and then nothing else, and that is everything. Your all, an unconditional love, at times sweet, sometimes rebellious, always pure, unassailable. Indissoluble, enormous. For Rome you are more than a king – a king who comes from the people – for the Azzurri one of the magnificent Champions of the 2006 FIFA World Cup: two stories, one heart, the concept of always applied to sport, because you will be talked about beyond the end of horizons, of time. You did the chip, you were a wonderful chef of football. Like you, in history, very few flags in the world. Happy birthday, dear Francesco Totti."

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."

Lorenzo Pellegrini is ready to feature for Roma at Como after six months away from competitive football, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini considering deploying him as a lone attacking midfielder behind two front strikers. Facing Como's organised four-man defence under Cesc Fàbregas, Gasperini has identified a specific tactical solution: positioning Pellegrini in the space between Como's midfield and back line, where the Roma captain can operate as a difficult-to-mark presence. Two opposing centre-backs cannot push forward aggressively without ceding depth to Roma's two forwards, while Como's midfielders risk being caught between lines and forced to cover ground without the ball. The role demands more than creative finishing or the final pass to forwards — whether the pairing of Donyell Malen and Paulo Dybala or the option of Santiago Castro from the start. Pellegrini must provide the aggression and positional awareness essential in the defensive phase. As a central attacking midfielder, the Roma captain becomes the first player tasked with pressing Como's initial build-up, screening the opposition playmaker and disrupting their play from the back. A 3-4-1-2 formation would offer Pellegrini a dual responsibility: playmaker when Roma regains possession, and first line of defence when closing space is needed. The shape appears tailored specifically for the trip to the Stadio Sinigaglia.

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."

Paulo Dybala and Nahuel Molina want to attend a farewell match for Lionel Messi with Argentina on 6 October, but the timing poses a logistical and sporting problem for Roma. The event is scheduled for 22:00 in Argentina, and factoring in travel, time zones and recovery, both players would not be available until 8 October. Roma face Como three days later on 11 October at 12:30 in a crucial fixture for the top of the league that also opens a demanding run of consecutive Serie A and Champions League matches. The question of whether the pair should travel has become one of the most delicate issues during Roma's current international break. Reports differ on where the resistance lies. According to Il Messaggero, head coach Gian Piero Gasperini gave approval for Dybala and Molina to depart, recognising the special significance of the occasion for two players who won the 2022 World Cup with Messi. However, Corriere dello Sport reports that the Friedkin family themselves have applied the brakes, judging the cost in fatigue, travel and recovery too high ahead of such an important match. No final decision has been made. The situation remains open, though the lean of opinion is currently towards preventing the trip. A definitive resolution is expected on Tuesday when training resumes at Trigoria, when the club, Gasperini and the players must weigh sporting demands against personal wishes and reach a shared conclusion. Meanwhile, other Argentina internationals will attend the Messi event regardless. Santiago Castro, Matías Soulé and Leonardo Balerdi are all on regular national team duty and will participate in the farewell ceremony, meaning they will be among the last national team players to return to Rome ahead of the Como fixture.