Born on 27 September 1976, in this 2021 Francesco Totti turns 45. He said goodbye to his Roma and professional football in 2017 and has been trying to change his life ever since. He tried the management path but relations with the old Giallorossi presidency were not idyllic. He became a sports attorney and deals with the scouting of young talents. His life can only revolve around football, in one way or another.
He is undoubtedly one of the greatest players in the history of football, in the Italian and global Olympus. If we talk about flags, we can only think of the "Pupone", Who wore the same jersey from 1989 to 2017. A total of 19 seasons, during which he won one title, two Italian Super Cups and two Italian Cups. With the national team shirt, however, he won a European Under 21 and a World.
Could Francesco Totti have won more elsewhere? This question has been asked several times and the answer is probably a clear yes. What he achieved in Rome, however, with his choice of loyalty, is something that goes beyond sport. The city will never forget it and those people are its people. It was clearer than ever at the moment of the painful farewell to the Olimpico. "I was hoping de died first", someone wrote, and nobody, really nobody, at the stadium and from home, was able to hold back the tears, Totti first. He was able to give real magic on the pitch and here is a top 10 of his most beautiful goals, with Rome and Italy.
Italy-Australia
It will not be a spectacular goal but only a true champion would have been able to put in goal such a delicate penalty as the one against Australia at the 2006 World Cup. A goal that allows the Azzurri to continue their journey. A network that opens the doors to a ride towards triumph. He's the only one cold enough to show up from the spot. The frame of his eyes is etched in the memory of all the fans. Will the spoon do? They all ask. But no. Powerful and precise rigor, which even today, watching the video, we are all afraid it may not enter.
Rome-Sampdoria
In the 2003-2004 season Francesco Totti scored one of the best goals of his career. He did it in a Roma-Sampdoria which ended with the result of 3-1. His trained gaze allows him to see a corridor between the opponent's shirts. So he decides to take a shot, ball and chain, from midfield to the penalty area. Midfielders and defenders surprised and terrified at the idea of making a hard foul. Their delay allows them to present themselves in front of the goalkeeper and show off all his coldness. Feint and touch under sweet to cross.
Rome-Milan
In the 1996-97 season, Roma beat Milan with a resounding 3-0. The signature of Totti could not be missing. From behind he manages to cancel the goalkeeper's attempt to get away from the Rossoneri, who comes out of the area and soon finds himself beaten. The ball remains there, a short distance from the corner flag. Two defenders begin to approach but Totti steals their time by bringing the tip under the ball and making a magnificent lob, without the need to charge the shot.
Roma-Udinese
The 2000-01 season sees him in a state of grace. He manages to turn any ball into an assist or a goal. Here he is, therefore, receiving a soft cross from Cafu. The ball crosses the whole area and from a tight angle others would have preferred to stop and think. Totti already knows what to do. Shoot on the fly with your left-handed (not his foot). Surgical precision and delirious stage.
Rome-Turin
In the year in which Roma wore the shirt with the tricolor of the Scudetto sewn on it, Francesco Totti decided the last match of the first round at the Olimpico with an exciting goal to say the least. He manages to find himself alone in front of the goalkeeper and dribbles him with a game of sole. The desperate intervention of a defender is useless, since the captain, cold, neutralizes him with a feint, before bagging.
Sampdoria-Roma
Even for a player of his quality, the volley against Sampdoria in the 2006-07 season is incredible. Cassetti's cross that crosses the area and a flying left-handed who gains an absurd effect. The ball finds space to the left of the goalkeeper, bagging itself at the edge of the pole. All from an impossible, highly secluded position, on the edge of the penalty area, in the direction of the flag.
Roma-Lazio
Years pass and in the 2014-15 season he already had quite a few (for a football player). This did not prevent him, however, from giving and treating himself to a feat in the derby (the last goal in the derby, which earned him the scoring record against Lazio). His goal grabs an unexpected equal. Holebas cross and goals in estirada, complete with celebrations with selfies under the South.
Italy-Holland
Totti's magic is not limited to the world of Rome. The "Pupone" has also been able to exalt himself with Italy. The match against the Netherlands remains in the memory of all football fans. It is the 2000 European Championship, which today arouses great bitterness for the second place obtained. The Roma captain is sure of his abilities and with the arrogance of the champion he decides to try the "spoon" against the very tall Van der Saar. A coldness that freezes even his teammates.
Lazio-Rome
A historic derby was played in the 2001-02 season, which ended with a result of 1-5 for the Giallorossi. The last goal signed is now indelible in the general memory. An anthology goal that sees the captain see Peruzzi out of the posts and beat him with a lob from outside the area. A precise trajectory that touches the lower part of the crossbar and bags itself.
Inter-Roma
It goes without saying that the lob is one of his best shots. If the result against Lazio had already been achieved, the same cannot be said of the match at San Siro against Inter in the 2005-06 season. The result was 0-1 for the Giallorossi, with the game still open (ended 2-3). The captain takes the ball and jumps into two Nerazzurri dribbles. It approaches the area and focuses. A fireball or an assist could start and instead here's the sweet touch that leaves Julio Cesar stunned.
Featured photo source: Francesco Totti - instagram.com/francescototti
