Totti reveals Genoa and Como offers at 48, explains why he turned both down

Francesco Totti has revealed that both Genoa and Como made serious approaches asking him to return to Serie A football at 48 years old. Totti explained that he took the proposals seriously enough to undergo a rigorous training programme: he played five-a-side football every Monday evening, added three gym sessions per week and two with a physiotherapist, and strictly controlled his diet, cutting out bread and sweets. He acknowledged that his physical condition responded well to the work despite normal wear and tear for someone nearly 50, saying his back was stiff but nothing serious. Genoa's Gian Marco Gilan—the manager—sent him WhatsApp messages asking for his decision, and Totti was drawn to the prospect of Stadio Marassi, which he described as "a beautiful stadium, English-style, with passionate people who follow the matches glued to the pitch. You feel their breath on your neck." Crucially, Genoa was also the venue of his final Roma appearance, something he saw as significant. However, Totti ultimately declined both offers, stating that the fundamental barrier was emotional rather than physical: he could not bring himself to play for any club other than Roma. "Can you play for a team that isn't Roma?" he asked himself repeatedly. He concluded that sporting betrayal has no age limit—"whether you are 18 or 48 years old." His decision came down to the fact that Roma was not a problem to overcome but a principle: loyalty to the only club where he could ever imagine playing. Totti also addressed the breakdown and recent reconciliation with Luciano Spalletti, the Italy manager. Their relationship had fractured on 28 May 2017, the day of Totti's forced retirement, and for over six years they neither saw nor spoke to each other. A turning point came in November 2023 when Vito Scala, a longtime friend, persuaded Totti to attend a Hospital Bambino Gesù visit during an Italy squad gathering before a match against Macedonia on 17 November. At that meeting, Spalletti used humour to break the ice: "From the heart, shall I give you a hug? From the heart, go on..." They exchanged a brief high-five and an embrace that Totti described as fleeting and emotionally neutral. The real thaw came when advertising executive Damiano Biondi proposed they film a commercial together for Amaro Montenegro. After a month of hesitation, Totti accepted. They shot at a location in Rome called I Ponti, and during their first conversation in Spalletti's camper, the tone shifted: Totti told Spalletti, "I couldn't wait. Anyway, you should thank me, boss—if I'd said no, they wouldn't have taken you either." They worked together over two days, relaxed, and smiled genuine, spontaneous smiles. In summer 2026 they filmed a second advert over three days at Spalletti's estate in Tuscany. During a dinner with others, Totti addressed the past directly: "As a coach he was one of the strongest, but he didn't behave well with me." Spalletti countered: "No, Francesco, it's all your fault—you wanted me gone and kicked me out of Roma." Totti replied: "What are you saying, boss? You did it all yourself." Totti emerged from both shoots more at peace, though the fundamental disagreement remained unresolved.

Roma arrive at the international break on the back of an almost perfect start to the season. Gasperini's side sit top of the table with four wins in five league matches, and have impressed with a near-miss against Serie A champions Inter plus a valuable draw away at Fenerbahçe in the Champions League. During the three-week break between matchday five and matchday six, Gasperini will work with players at Trigoria, including Wesley, Malen and Cristante, who are carrying minor injuries, alongside squad members not called up by their national teams. The goal is to have all players at 100% fitness when league action resumes. According to Corriere della Sera, Roma will play two friendlies during the break. These matches will serve both to build match fitness and to involve young academy players, offering them valuable minutes and opportunities to integrate with the senior squad.

Francesco Totti has revealed he genuinely considered returning to professional football at 48 years old, but ultimately rejected overtures from Genoa and Como. The Roma legend explained his reasoning: he could not bring himself to play against his former club. Totti spent his entire career at Roma before retiring in 2017, scoring 307 goals for the Giallorossi. His reflection on potential comeback moves shows the enduring connection between the former captain and AS Roma, even as other Serie A clubs sought to tempt him back into action.