Er pupone (in Roman dialect means The big baby) was a brilliant player, you never knew what to expect from him, he could invent unpredictable skill at any time of the game. Superfine technique, 360° game vision, attacking was is primary profession but was also an offensive midfielder: striker, centre forward, offensive midfielder, it did not matter, he could play any attacking role to perfection. Captain and flag of A.S. Roma, which managed to bring to the victory of the historic third scudetto in the 2000/01 season, with the Roman club also has 2 Italian Supercups and 2 Italian Cups. A true leader of the team and the Red&Yellow fans, who love him and will love him forever, their relationship is so deep that it appears almost visceral, considered in the italian capital as the eighth King of Rome, a nickname that says a lot about their consideration about him who consider him untouchable.
One of the strongest players ever existed in Italian football, a huge physical strength, his shots could be bombs or sweet touches, on penalties was a real sniper, impeccable in penalty kicks, which he could place where he wanted even with sweet Panenka kicks, which has become his trademark and which has made him even more famous all over the world. An excellent sense for the goal, wonderful performance for a special player, who reached the top of his career in the year of the World Cup in Germany in 2006, won against France, contributing with a fundamental penalty kick for the passage of turn, penalty that led Italy to victory against Australia, with the consequent passage to the quarterfinals.
During the last Champions League match of few days ago at the Olympic Stadium against Real Madrid, he showed up in his own home with watery eyes, tearful fans give to him an inevitable standing ovation for their number 10 that he received for the occasion to join the Hall of fame of the Rome Sports Association, delivered to him by two legends of the club: Falcao and Bruno Conti. There were also other historical former Roma's players, like Pruzzo, Losi, Nela, Giannini, Candela, Tommasi, De Sisti, Rocca and Santarini. Real Madrid also wanted to pay their tribute to Totti by sending players such as Raul, Roberto Carlos and Butragueno to the stadium, giving to Francesco the merengues jersey, Real was a club that wanted him repeatedly for playing with them but he always refused to stay in his Rome.
After receiving this historic jersey he stayed long time under his curve with fans and he later declared:
Today is a significant day, too important. Having worn a single jersey is a privilege, staying united as we have always been is the most important thing and for me is like the Hall of fame every day. The fans, for me, are really brothers and sisters.
A single and unique jersey for him, since the youth he joined in 1989, at the age of 13, he remained in the capital until last year to defend his favorite team, all the environment Yellow&red has always loved until the end. 785 games, 307 goals and 128 assists, amazing his score in the Maggica (a nickname for the team in Roman dialect which means the magic one), just as well in the the Italian national team, where he collected 57 appearances where he scored 9 times and has collected 23 assists. He has always been a simple person, so much that he was often mocked by his teammates, opponents and Mass media about his alleged ignorance. Ignorant maybe, but also really clever, instead of closing himself curl up like a hedgehog and be offended by criticism, he responded to these jokes making fun of himself and even writing two books of jokes "tell by him".
A funny and nice guy, sometimes perhaps a bit 'too impetuous and out of line, but on the other hand when the class is high class, certain behaviors, often contained, are also understandable. So far, in the history of the Italian championship he is the one who scored more goals with the same team and is in second place in the ranking of Serie A scorers of all time; in total with Roma scored 307 goals, an Italian record for a club team. He's the striker with most appearances in Serie A (619 games) and together with Paolo Maldini, he took part in the beauty of 25 championships and is the only one to have scored in 23 of that seasons. With the age of 38 years and 59 days holds the record in the Champions League as the oldest scorer in the history of the competition.
Absolute record in the Football Oscar, which proclaims the best Italian footballer, who has won 5 times and twice has been awarded as the best player ever. In 2004 he was included by Pelé in the FIFA 100, the list of the greatest living players. In 2007 he received the golden shoe as the best European scorer and in 2010 he won the Golden Foot. According to IFFHS statistic, in 2012, he was the most popular player in Europe. A few years ago claims to "have been kicked out of his house" after a heated dispute with his former coach Luciano Spalletti about certain sentences written in the newspapers, he considered the choice by the Tuscan coach to send him away from Trigoria as a humiliation that he he will never forget, but all the capital people has always been on his side and is still an integral part of the same team as a sports administrator of the A.S. Roma society.
In conclusion, a necessary tribute to his fabulous story, more unique than rare to find a player so in love with a team and his colors to devote a lifetime. And now all standing to see some of his most beautiful skills, goals and assists of this authentic living legend!
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