Two new murals honour Totti on his 50th birthday

Francesco Totti celebrated his 50th birthday on 27 September, a date that has held special significance for Roma and its supporters since 1976. The milestone sparked an outpouring of global affection across social media from the moment of midnight, despite Totti and his family being in Las Vegas for celebrations and dealing with time-zone complications. Among those offering congratulations was FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who published several photographs of the Roma legend alongside a lengthy tribute: "Roma, the Azzurri, and then that's it, and it's more than enough. Your everything, an unconditional love, at times sweet, sometimes rebellious, always pure, untouchable. Indissoluble, enormous." Totti spent 25 years wearing the same Roma shirt, a period that made him a unifying figure across generations of supporters. In an interview, he addressed the subject of a potential return to the club, stating that the move never happening is not a sore point: "The missed return to Roma is not a raw nerve." The date marks a significant moment not only for Totti himself but for the entire giallorosso world, which has long viewed his birthday as a special occasion comparable to a major celebration.

Francesco Totti marked his 50th birthday on 27 September with reflections on his Roma career and a revelation about the club's recruitment. In a long interview and in his book *Oltre*, published on his birthday, Totti spoke about the debt he owes to Roma: "Roma has allowed me to realise my dream, to wear a single shirt, number 10, and to be captain." On the historic number 10, Totti insisted it should go to a player who could stay at Roma long-term rather than a passing figure. Totti also disclosed a curious behind-the-scenes transfer story involving the club's current squad. During a dinner with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini in recent months, Totti recommended several potential signings. Among them was Santiago Castro, the forward who arrived from Bologna this summer. Totti recalled: "I suggested an attacker to Gasperini—Castro, a winger, and a midfielder." Gasperini, the article reports, held a positive view of the Argentine's profile, saying: "Castro appeals to me a great deal; I think we see football in the same way." Separately, Gianluca Mancini will not travel with Italy for the Nations League away fixture against Turkey. Roberto Mancini, the Italy coach, has opted to manage the squad's workload, leaving ten players at Coverciano including Roma's defender. Daniele Ghilardi, also of Roma, has been called up and will be part of the Italian delegation for the match scheduled for tomorrow evening in Bursa. Mancini will follow a personalised training programme at the Italian Football Federation's technical centre. Former Roma players paid tribute to Totti on his milestone birthday. Fabrizio Aspri, speaking on Radio Radio, reflected on his character: "I remember feeling unwell after the goal against Genoa. I liked Totti as a man. Francesco is kind and good. At his first American press conference he said: 'Fabrizio Aspri doesn't start the press conference.' Totti is many things, you can't capture him in a book. The Totti I experienced was a daily Totti—like the desk mate we never had. If Totti missed a match, the airport was empty. His simplicity was the most beautiful thing about him."

AS Roma marked Francesco Totti's birthday with a 42-second video message on social media, a gesture that underscores the distance between the club and its former captain. The post carried only the slogan "Happy birthday Francesco"—a brief acknowledgment of a player who scored 307 goals and made 786 appearances in the Giallorossi shirt throughout his career, the only colours he ever wore as a player. The coldness of the greeting reflects the wider chill in Roma's relationship with Totti under Friedkin Group ownership. Where previous management pushed him out, the current regime keeps him at a remove—even as head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has reportedly made clear he sees Totti as a resource rather than a burden. According to the article, Gasperini has discussed Totti's views on squad needs, including advice he offered: "I suggested Castro, a winger and a midfielder." Santiago Castro is currently used as a deputy to Donyell Malen. Despite Gasperini's support, the Friedkin ownership remains silent on any formal role for Totti, reportedly delegating peripheral matters to CEO Galantic—a figure who had only marginal contact with Totti during John Friedkin's time on Pallotta's board. The article notes that the ownership has expressed a wish to see Totti placed in a football governance role alongside Giovanni Malagò, though such an arrangement remains unresolved.