Un capitano
His childhood, the first kicks of the ball, his fear of the dark, life in a Roman neighbourhood that no longer exists. His Serie A debut at the age of 16, the difficult start, and then glory: captain and amazingly a prophet in his own country, for twenty-five years donning the same jersey, a prize record that boasts one Championship, two Italian Cups and two Italian Supercups, besides, of course, the World Cup victory in 2006 conquered as an absolute protagonist with the Italian national team. And then his marriage to Ilary Blasi, the jet-set life he has always lived with a smile, light-hearted, with self-irony. Wearing the ever surprised expression of the boy that a city has elected to the rank of symbol and commander, the object of an unparalleled love. Totti remained at Roma for the entirety of his career, until the day of his retirement, at the end of last season after 25 seasons, with a farewell speech that moved not only the Roma fans but every sport enthusiast around the world.
“Francesco Totti is the king of Rome. He is and will be the best player I ever saw! #Respect” – Diego Armando Maradona
“The coolest footballer who has ever lived” – Daily Mirror
“The Golden Child. The Phenomenon. The Captain. The Legend.” – The New York Times
“Francesco Totti, ten screws in the ankle and a steel plate in the leg, legend of Roma and last expression of a football that is extinguished as of today” – El Pais
Francesco Totti (Rome, 1976) made his debut in Serie A wearing the Roma shirt on March 28, 1993. Captain of Roma for twenty years, he is in second place in the all-time table of Serie A goal-scorers; with Roma he scored 307 goals altogether, the goal record in Italy for a club. Awarded 5 times (a record) for Best Italian footballer, in 2004 he was included in the FIFA list of the greatest living players (FIFA 100), and in 2018 he was the first Italian footballer to win the Laureus Sport Award for his career. Real Madrid president Florentino Perez attempted to prise Totti away from Roma, only for the striker to choose to remain out of loyalty to his club. After leaving football on May 28, 2017, he joined the Roma management.
Paolo Condò was born in Trieste in 1958. A professional journalist since 1981, three years later he joined Gazzetta dello Sport, for which he has followed 7 World Cups and 5 European Championships, 2 Summer Olympics, 8 Giri d\’Italia, and many other events. In 2015 he moved to Sky Sport. Since 2010 he has been the Italian member of the international jury of “France Football” which awards the most prestigious individual prize in football, the Golden Ball.
