Francesco Totti has revealed in his latest autobiography, *Oltre*, that Roma made an indirect approach asking him to present the iconic number 10 shirt to Paulo Dybala during the forward's official unveiling. Totti declined the request and refused to be drawn into the decision-making process.
When Dybala arrived at Roma from Juventus, where he had worn the number 10 before departing in tears, the club sent Totti a message through indirect channels proposing the transfer of the legendary shirt. Totti rejected the suggestion outright. "You are all mad," he told them in his account. He made clear his position was not personal animosity towards the player: "Nothing against the player—in fact, I like him very much, also as a person. He is a very good lad. If you have this intention, go ahead, without putting me in the middle." Dybala ultimately chose the number 21 instead, a decision Totti attributed partly to respect for his predecessor.
Totti explained his refusal to hand over the shirt by emphasizing the weight and responsibility attached to Roma's number 10. "I didn't want responsibility for someone else's choice, a decision I had absolutely nothing to do with, to fall on me," he wrote. "The number 10 of Roma carries weight, and it would bring inevitable comparisons with me. Dybala, if he is well, can make a difference." He stressed that the choice rightfully belongs to the club rather than to him personally.
Totti articulated a broader philosophy on who should wear the shirt. He said he would never retire it outright, as that would deny "a wonderful dream to children" who might one day embody the same commitment. However, he expressed a clear view on criteria: "It is a symbol too important and significant to be entrusted only to someone who, at Roma, can potentially play for fifteen or twenty years." He contrasted that with players arriving from elsewhere who stay only temporarily before departing.
Story Coverage3 sources on this story
Francesco Totti has revealed that AS Roma attempted to persuade him to present the number 10 shirt to Paulo Dybala during the Argentine's official unveiling in 2022. The club sent Totti an indirect request, but he rejected it firmly. "You are all mad," Totti responded, refusing to be drawn into the decision-making process. Dybala ultimately chose the number 21 instead. Totti emphasized that his refusal was not personal—he acknowledged Dybala's quality as a footballer and praised him as "a very good lad." Rather, he wanted the club itself to make the decision without involving him, saying: "If you have the courage, give it to him yourselves...without putting me in the middle."
Totti's rejection stemmed from his conviction that Roma's number 10 carries profound historical weight and cannot be assigned lightly. He explained in his autobiography *Oltre* that the shirt would inevitably invite comparisons with his own legacy, a burden he did not want Dybala to bear. The retired captain stressed that the number 10 should only go to someone capable of committing to Roma for fifteen or twenty years—ideally a player developed within the club itself. Totti said he would never retire the shirt permanently, as that would deny "a wonderful dream to children," but he drew a clear distinction between a long-term commitment and temporary arrivals "from the other side of the world" who eventually leave.
AI synthesis of all sources below — always check the originals.
Testo Originale / Source Text
“La numero 10, Dybala e quelle strane chiamate da Trigoria. Nella sua ultima autobiografia “Oltre”, Francesco Totti svela un retroscena che vede protagonista anche la Joya in riferimento alla possibilità di vestire la maglia che è legata iconicamente all’ex capitano."Dybala non ha mai vestito la…”
Read the full article in Italian at Forza Roma.
