World Cup winner. Serie A champion. European Golden Boot winner. Second all-time top scorer in Serie A history. Top scorer in Roma's history. All time most appearances for Roma. Legend. Totti.
Francesco Totti has done it all. Maligned by some, adored by many, the Italian star cannot be ignored. Even last weekend, on the verge of his 40th birthday, there he was - doing what he has done for the last 24 (twenty-four!) years - scoring goals.
On Sunday against Torino he left Joe Harte floundering as he stroked home yet another penalty (Totti has scored more than anyone in the history of the Italian top flight). It was the 250th career goal in Serie A. It's a simply remarkable achievement for a man who has remained loyal to his home town club all his career and continues to do the business to this day. This season alone he has two assists and two goals in four league appearances for the Giallorossi as Roma sit in fourth place in the early league table.
He was a star of the Italian side that came within seconds of capturing the European Championship in 2000. He was an integral part of the Azzuri team that went all the way to glory at the 2006 World Cup as well. Totti has done it when it mattered most. No matter what his critics, mainly in the English press, have said.
To get an idea of just how long Totti has been around you just have to realise that the Torino side he scored against on Sunday is managed by Siniša Mihajlović - a team-mate of Totti on his Roma debut. Claudio Caniggia and Gheorghe Hagi played in that game too!
We could go on and on and on eulogising the great man but we'll leave it here with a couple of videos for your enjoyment. And once again.... Buon compleanno Francesco!
via AS Roma
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6D8jdqhQwYE
via Peradze
via AS Roma Fan TV
