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Internet Desk: Roma bid farewell to Italian footballer, Francesco Totti’s after he confirmed that the game against Genoa where he beat them 3-2 would be his very last.
The 40-year-old forward and former captain made his debut as a 16-year-old in a 2-0 win against Brescia in 1993 and played under 16 different coaches during his 25 seasons at the club in his hometown.
Fans turned up say their goodbyes to the gifted player who led the team to the Serie A title in 2001 as well as cup wins the same year and in 2007, 2008 and 2007.
He started on the bench, coming on in the 54th minute for Mo Salah to a standing ovation that he’d already received during a pre-match lap of honour.
“I wanted to write a poem or a song but I’m not capable of that,” he said.
“It’s finally over. The moment which I hoped would never arrive is here. I’m taking off the shirt for the last time, although I’m not ready to do it, and maybe never will be.
“It’s not easy to turn out the light. In fact, I’m afraid — it’s not like taking a penalty”, he said, at which point almost everyone in the stadium appeared to be in tears.
In all he made 786 appearances, scoring 307 goals including 250 in Serie A- the second-highest total by a single player after Silvio Piola between 1929 and 1954.
A World Cup winner with Italy in 2006 when he played in all seven games, his trophy haul with Roma was surprisingly modest- a single Serie A title in 2001 and two winners’ medals from the largely unloved Coppa Italia.
Totti had allegedly earlier resisted the temptation of playing for Real Madrid with Brazilian forward Ronaldo.
Daniele De Rossi, who since 2001 has been playing for the club was among those who had a hard time controlling his emotions.
“There are people who are not normal. There are careers that are not normal. I saw a banner that said the real battle against modern football is to wear the same jersey for 25 years,” he said.
“After 16 years, I will go into the dressing-room and he won’t be sitting in the same place. That won’t be easy.” he added