Francesco Totti



Francesco Totti, Cavaliere Ufficiale OMRI, (born 27 September 1976 in Rome) is an Italian World Cup-winning footballer. He plays for A.S. Roma in Italy's Serie A, a league where he also stands as the top active scorer, with over two hundred goals. Between 1998 and 2006 he was a regular member of the Italian national team, with whom he won the 2006 FIFA World Cup. He is considered as one of the finest players in his generation.

Sourced

 * Because I grew up playing for Roma and I want to die playing for Roma, because I have always been a Roma's fan!
 * Answering the question: "Francesco, why don't you play for another team for two or three years in order to win something more?" From the TV show "Controcampo" 4/18/2007).

From football legends

 * Totti is the best player in the world. He has just been a little unlucky in the past.
 * Pelé,


 * Diego Maradona: Totti is the world's number one.
 * Diego Maradona "He is a great player and he will keep on showing that. He represents Italian soccer and the Italian fans will have fun with him."


 * Michel Platini: Totti is an artist of football, a true Number 10, just like I was.
 * Michel Platini "If I was playing today I'd be like Totti, who's become an out-and-out striker. There aren't any Number 10s in the old playmaker role anyway."
 * Michel Platini "If I was playing today I'd be like Totti, who's become an out-and-out striker. There aren't any Number 10s in the old playmaker role anyway."
 * Michel Platini "If I was playing today I'd be like Totti, who's become an out-and-out striker. There aren't any Number 10s in the old playmaker role anyway."


 * There are many star players in Italy, but the only one I would bring to Bayern Munich would be Totti. I know him well and he deserves to win the Ballon d'Or.
 * Franz Beckenbauer |.


 * I liked Francesco straight away. Not only as a player but as a person. He is a phenomenon. A rare player. It seems as if when he was born, the heavenly father said: 'Go down there and play football and that's it.' And he did what he was prescribed to do.
 * Luigi Riva


 * Totti is the god of football. I saw him play when he was 16 and he was a phenomenon, he knew to do everything: passes, shoots, free kicks, penalties.
 * Sandro Mazzola


 * "I want to compliment Francesco Totti, scoring 206 goals is a great achievement. It does not matter that he has beat me as he is a great player."
 * . "He fought so hard and is now reaping the rewards. He always picked himself back up with pride and courage. Totti set an example with his achievements and his passion for this sport, proving you can push beyond your limits. He has the quality and ability to keep going and catch the next players in the all-time scorers’ charts. He is one of the last few real Number 10s and while he has the strength, he should keep playing."
 * Roberto Baggio


 * Gianni Rivera: Totti is better than Baggio and Del Piero, even better than me.
 * Gianni Rivera:
 * . "He is the best Italian player of the last 20 years, I finally choose him. He can do everything and do it well. Assists and goals, power and delicacies techniques. Extraordinary."


 * Francesco Totti has probably been the best player in the last decade. His skills, ability, physical strength and intelligence on the pitch made him a symbol for Roma and the whole of Italian football.
 * Paolo Rossi |


 * Totti has the technique of a South American and deserved to win a few more trophies with his Roma team. In fact, he also deserved to win the Ballon d’Or. He is an extraordinary player. In Italy it’s not easy for kids to come up through the youth academy and impose themselves on the first team, but he managed it and became the symbol of Roma. Totti manages to think with his feet and would’ve done great things with my Roma side in 1982-83.
 * Paulo Roberto Falcão, 2013


 * I have never doubted his ability and you can tell he is a real champion.
 * Giuseppe Signori, 2009

From trainers

 * Marcello Lippi: "Totti is the monument of Italian football."
 * . "It is clear that Totti is one of the few players who doesn’t have a substitute because there is nobody around who plays like him."
 * . "There are no alternatives for Totti in Italy."
 * . "No one else could play Totti's position."
 * . "Totti has always been an amazing guy, humble both in dealing with the Coaches and teammates. He was impressed me by the determination that was put in every day."
 * . "He's a great man and a great player."
 * . "Totti has always been an amazing guy, humble both in dealing with the Coaches and teammates. He was impressed me by the determination that was put in every day."
 * . "He's a great man and a great player."
 * . "He's a great man and a great player."


 * Totti is the only current player I would've taken on my 1982 World Cup side.
 * Enzo Bearzot,.


 * For me, he is one of the greatest players I have ever seen.
 * Arrico Sacchi, 2007


 * Only Gigi Riva could kick the ball like him in Italy. But only with his left foot. Totti can use both feet and can hit the ball in several ways. Such champions can shoot ten times per match and eight of them are aimed on target, while five are very dangerous and can turn into a goal. Totti's shooting qualities are unique and they will stay intact for life.
 * Fabio Capello, 2009.


 * Giovanni Trapattoni: "Every player has some genius, but there's only one Van Gogh, and there is nobody like Totti."
 * . "Totti can transform a side. There are very few players who have that capability."
 * . "He reminds me of Eusébio, as quick mentally as he is physically."
 * . "If I was still playing football today, then I would have real problems marking Totti, a bit like I struggled to control Pelé in the past. He has those same characteristics."


 * Dino Zoff: "Totti was without doubt Baggio’s heir. Even then I knew that he had the qualities to be so and his career and his numbers confirm it."
 * . "Totti has enormous technical and tactical qualities."


 * Jose Mourinho: You know more than me what Totti means for Roma, for the Serie A, and for his team-mates. I want him to play because he's the best player in the Italian championship in terms of spectacle and quality of play.


 * Alex Ferguson: "Of course I know Totti is the fantastic player."
 * . "Totti is the symbol of Roma, he’d never want to leave the club just like Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes at Manchester United. He needs to be kept at a certain level for Roma, just as I do at United."
 * . "Totti is the architect of everything they (Roma) do and we have to decide how best to deal with him. The issue is what we do with our centre-backs and whether we push one on to Totti but we can't let him control the game. It's a tricky one but we have to resolve it as best we can."


 * Arsene Wenger: "Totti is a top, top class player. He is typical of the Roman game and I’m sure he will never move outside of Roma. He used to play in behind the strikers and then one day they had no central striker so they played him up front and won game after game. He suddenly became the topscorer in Italy as a central striker. That means this guy has absolutely everything. He has a fantastic protection of the ball, he has a quick turn and then he has a very good pass in the final third of the pitch. He can be deadly with every single pass. He will certainly be the most dangerous provider in the final third for them in this game. He is not the only player who can be dangerous but he can open the defence with any pass at any moment of the day if you give him the freedom."


 * Luciano Spalletti: "I agree with Pelé, Totti is the best player in the world."
 * . "Totti is the history of Roma, the club, and I think that he is an intelligent man. Totti will stay and will close his career with Roma because he cares about the future of club and created a contract that sees him as the player the club will build it's image around. I do not see why he should leave Roma"
 * . "It would be easier to move the Colosseum out of Rome."


 * Claudio Ranieri: "Totti is Totti, he is the greatest Italian player and our captain. We will keep him tight. He comes before everything."
 * . "Francesco is a real champion, a professional, a lad with a heart of gold and he is Roma's captain."
 * . "He is the best player with whom I have ever worked. He could have won several Ballons d'Or had he left Roma for Barcelona or Manchester United. I have also worked with Frank Lampard and Alessandro Del Piero, but Francesco is the better player."
 * . "He is a formidable player and I can assure you it’s not true that he destroys Coaches."
 * . "He is fantastic and to this club, he is as important as the Colosseum is to Rome."


 * Carlo Ancelotti: "Totti is a great player who gave so much for Roma and still can give. He is the player who managed the best, especially from the physical point of view, he can remain a very important player to the team."
 * . "Francesco remains the undisputed symbol of Roma."


 * Carlo Mazzone: "Totti? Simply fantastic. I think he is the greatest Roma player of all-time."
 * . "He is playing well and I am delighted for him. His form is no miracle. He is a serious professional and a proud guy. He always trains with enthusiasm and has great technique. He is an example for everyone"
 * . "I am privileged because I had the luck of seeing Totti’s first goal in Serie A as well as the fantastic culmination of Baggio’s career. If I had been able to coach both of them together in the same team I would have won a lot and certainly wouldn’t have lost all my hair. I’d like it a lot if we could all have dinner together and remember their goals."
 * . "We should all acknowledge the qualities of Totti, an important player in the history of Roma and Italian football."


 * Cesare Prandelli: "Totti is a great champion."
 * . "He and Roberto Baggio are two great players and it is hard to compare the two."
 * . "I had the good fortune to train him for a few months and that was an honour. He is an exemplary professional and is breaking all records at Roma, regardless of age. Totti is a real champion and always manages to achieve his objectives. He’s also a great man."


 * Zdeněk Zeman: "Who are the best five Italian players? Totti, Totti, Totti, Totti, Totti."
 * . "Francesco is eclectic and can play wherever. He has carried Roma on his back for 15 years."
 * . "He is the only champion of Italian football."
 * . "Totti is the best player I ever worked with. He had talent and showed it off. He changed role, becoming a centre-forward and therefore more susceptible to getting fouled, so the two major injuries have taken their toll."
 * . "I'm even more convinced now that Totti is one of the greatest players of all time."


 * Roberto Mancini: "Totti is still the number one in Italy and among the first in Europe."
 * . "If Francesco is able to be this consistently impressive at the highest level at the age of 36, it’s because over the course of his career he has acted like a professional."


 * Laurent Blanc: "Totti is more than a simple player for Roma. He is outstanding, the team's real standard bearer."
 * . "With Totti on the field, he brings something special to Roma. He is not just a great player, but also their Colosseum."


 * Siniša Mihajlović: Totti is a great champion, one of the best players Italy has ever produced, he deserves everything he has earned in the game.


 * Pierpaolo Bisoli: "Totti is Totti, a symbol of Italian football."


 * Luiz Felipe Scolari: "Totti is a fantastic player, when you lose a player like him is like losing more than one."
 * . "I really like him. He plays well, he has an unsurpassed quality and a great identification with AS Roma. His love for this team is amazing and we Brazilians give considerable importance to certainties. If he were Brazilian he would have great possibilities of being called up, but has the good luck of being part of a fantastic and spectacular national team."


 * Luis Enrique: "He is not only the King of Rome, but of the world. He is unique and it’s a pleasure to have players like Totti in the side."
 * . "I had the chance to play against Totti. I really like him, I’m really happy that I have the chance to be his Coach."
 * . "Francesco is the best player in the history of Roma."
 * . "I've spoke about Francesco so many times I think I'm falling in love with him – my wife is quite jealous. I have a special relationship with him and we've got on very well right from the very start. He's always behaved well and I've been lucky to have known him while he was still playing. It was a great pleasure to coach him."


 * Rudi Garcia: "Francesco is not only a formidable player – a "fuoriclasse" as you say in Italy – but also a man with great qualities outside of football. For me he is one of the very best players in the history of the sport. What I would really love is to win something with him at Roma."
 * . "I'm happy he's extended his contract. People usually talk about players being legends once they've retired, but Francesco still has the chance to write his own legend. And I hope to do it alongside him. It's how old you feel that's important, not the age on your passport – that's why Totti's still young."
 * . "He is a wonderful player with the ball at his feet, so he needs to touch the ball as much as possible."


 * Eusebio Di Francesco: "Totti has great football intelligence, experience and seems to have four eyes to spot all potential passes."
 * . "Francesco has always been the added value for Roma. I am proud to still have an extraordinary rapport with him and every Christmas we exchange gifts."


 * Totti is someone who can always find the winning moment out of nowhere.
 * Stefano Colantuono, 2012


 * Roma have the only real world class Italian player left, Francesco Totti.
 * Andrea Mandorlini, 2013


 * Francesco Totti is a champion among the best in the history of Italian football.
 * Stefano Pioli, 2013

From club presidents and directors

 * Totti is the greatest player ever to wear Roma jersey.
 * Rosella Sensi


 * Francesco and I grew up together and he is like a little brother to me, My father (Franco Sensi) used to say that he was the son he never had. No-one embodies the spirit of our team better than he does.
 * Rosella Sensi, 2010


 * Totti is part of Italy's heritage, in a footballing sense.
 * Silvio Berlusconi, 2006.


 * In my opinion he is the most complete player in Italy, followed by De Rossi and Pirlo.
 * Adriano Galliani, 2010


 * Florentino Pérez: I spent a lot of money in my life to build a powerful team like Real Madrid, but my desire, I always liked the captain of Roma, Francesco Totti. Unfortunately, it was impossible to reach him because Totti always want to remain with his club and his city.
 * . "It is very difficult for players like him to leave their clubs."


 * Totti is a great player and when he is not there, Roma lose an important resource.
 * Leonardo, 2011

From players in his generation

 * Above all on the eve of a match like this one, when on the other side, wearing a captain band on his arm, there’s a player like Francesco Totti. If we put together our goals scored, it's over 500. If we sum up the years of career, wearing the same shirt – it comes up to 35. We won the World Cup together and those memories unite us forever"
 * . "We have a great relationship with plenty of admiration on both sides even if we don't call each other up. Francesco is great."
 * Alessandro Del Piero.
 * Alessandro Del Piero.


 * Totti is a fantastic player."
 * . "I am proud to play in a team with a player like him who is the symbol of Roma and that means a lot to the fans of this club. The modern game has changed a lot, but I think it is critical to a club with a player who is much like Totti at Roma or Maldini at Milan. Money is important in football, but there are other things more important value for an entity."
 * Pep Guardiola
 * Pep Guardiola


 * Totti is always strong, and as a Roman, fights for the team. He makes you feel great, and was a fantastic teammate. He has done a lot of brilliant things for Roma and for the Italian national team. I have always rooted for him.
 * Cafu 2012


 * Totti is the greatest exponent of the Roman world. He is a player who kids look up to. When the day arrives that he has to retire, it will be hard for Roma and the whole environment there because he is a club emblem.
 * Vincenzo Montella


 * When he's in form, Francesco is the best player in the world at his position.
 * Luca Toni,.


 * Totti has written the history of Italian football, with the present and the future. He is a player who can not be doubted.
 * Gianluigi Buffon,.


 * Totti is a patron of football, an absolute champion on and off the field. Francesco has only played as a centre forward for four or five years. He was a great Number 10 and playmaker, but now is a pure striker.
 * Vincent Candela,.


 * Totti is a great player, one of the last Number 10s remaining in football. The way to play football today has pushed out real Number 10s who make the show. I have a lot of admiration for him, I think he is the best Number 10.
 * Juninho Pernumbucano,.


 * I would have been honoured to play alongside Totti, as he is one of the best players in history. Any club would’ve been happy to have him in their squad.
 * Raúl González
 * . "He is a player who can turn a match and who plays good football."


 * I have a lot of respect for Francesco Totti. When you talk about Roma, you think about Francesco Totti, and when you talk about Francesco Totti, you think about Roma. I’ve had to battle so many times against him. I have maximum respect for him.
 * Thierry Henry,


 * Totti is a 'galactico', He is one of the best players in the world.
 * Roberto Carlos


 * Totti is a legend. He is the symbol of the Giallorossi. Even in Holland, when you talk about Roma, the first name to come up is Totti's. He is considered an extraordinary champion all over the world.
 * Wesley Sneijder,


 * He is still a great player, He can shoot with either foot and can resolve a game in an instant, even with just a free-kick.
 * Philipp Lahm,.


 * When I was young I used to watch Italian football matches and my wish was to one day become like Totti.
 * Javier Pastore, 2010.


 * "Totti is a treasure for Roma, He is the greatest player of all time after Baggio."
 * . "He always left me free to choose. He never gave me much pressure. For me he was important proof of a man who is serene and happy at Roma. Francesco is untouchable."
 * . "It will be impossible to reach his record. He's loved by all, and is decisive on the pitch. I have great desire to show this as well."
 * Daniele De Rossi
 * Daniele De Rossi


 * Apart from his indisputable ability as a player, Francesco is a stupendous person. I grew up a lot alongside him and De Rossi. Totti, for me, is an idol. If it wasn’t for him then I wouldn’t be here today. I’m honoured to have known him. Totti is not a problem for Coaches, but for defences.
 * Philippe Mexès,.


 * I have played with many great footballers in my career and two of them are Gerrard and Totti. Both a great players, loyal and pleasant.
 * John Arne Riise,.


 * Totti is a champion, he is untouchable. He can play for many years to come at Roma. It is right to have a mix between younger players and those with experience.
 * Rodrigo Taddei,.


 * "Except for Francesco Totti, I don’t see any club symbols or any standard bearers in this country. He made a choice to reject all other teams even if they offer more money."
 * Gianluca Comotto,


 * Totti is very important, on and off the pitch, for what he has won and for his charisma. He’s an example for everyone to follow, for the young players and for players like me who have arrived from abroad. The fact that he has played his football here for so long is proof of that. It’s always nice to watch him train.
 * Fernando Gago,.


 * Totti has impressed me most about Roma. He has been, and remains, a very important player, who has spent many years here. The other day he explained that he joined the club in 1989 and is now 35 - he arrived before I was born!
 * Bojan Krkić, 2011


 * Totti is an exceptional teacher, as it’s incredible to be training and playing with him. He is a leader, which I knew, but also different to the others. His football is joy.
 * Miralem Pjanić, 2011


 * You learn a lot from Totti. He is a player that is part of the club’s history, an idol of the fans. Not mentioning the Argentines, Totti is the player who gives me the most advice. He is one of those who I talk to most. There are no problems with the language, we understand each other.
 * Erik Lamela, 2012


 * Roma are a great side and Francesco Totti, who called to convince me to join, is a great player who I have always admired.
 * Adrian Mutu, 2012


 * Pablo Osvaldo, Francesco is unique. He’s not only a phenomenon, he’s actually the best Italian player of all time.
 * Pablo Osvaldo Some Italian players think they are Hollywood stars, but I was surprised by how down to earth Totti is. He is a living legend at Roma, a very normal lad and a lot of fun.


 * He is the equivalent to the Pope. People are devoted to him, but Francesco deserves it - he is a leader and is always able to express words of praise for his teammates.
 * Nicolás Burdisso.


 * Can I become a symbol of Fiorentina? I dream of becoming the Viola’s version of Francesco Totti.
 * Stevan Jovetić


 * I have so much respect for Francesco Totti. Considering what he represents at Roma, he is the captain of captains.
 * Fabio Borini


 * I appreciate the presence of a leader like Totti. He is one of the best players in history. I feel lucky to play alongside him.
 * Michael Bradley,


 * Totti is an unattainable champions. It does not take long to realise that he is a real phenomenon for the things that he can do.
 * Marquinhos,


 * Francesco Totti is a great champion and beyond description. I’m happy to be playing alongside him.
 * Maicon,.


 * My idols? I have several. Totti as well is someone I like. It is a pleasure to play against him now.
 * Stephan El Shaarawy,.


 * I want to become Napoli’s Totti.
 * Marek Hamšík, 2013


 * I’d love to be the Francesco Totti of Juventus. I won’t make comparisons on role or history, but I hope to end my career with this jersey.
 * Claudio Marchisio, 2013

From other people

 * Totti is great, at his age he still makes a difference, as Federer. I’d take him everywhere, even to dinner with me. He is really strong. If AS Roma won the Scudetto I would invite Totti for a ride with me.
 * Valentino Rossi, 2013 (Source).


 * No one would have thought that Totti would have a career like this. But even from his debut you could see that he was destined to succeed. I have a great admiration for him. Look at the likes of Giggs, Gianfranco Zola, Roberto Baggio, Alessandro Del Piero – it is hard to believe that anyone can get to 40 years of age and keep playing, but Totti could. He is a boy who loves this city. He could have won more elsewhere, but he loves Rome.
 * Carlo Verdone, Italian actor and film director (Source).