Loyalty, almost a forgotten concept in the modern game. Big money transfer moves are tempting the very best to the Goliaths of football. Nearly every top player dreams of that big move with the ambition to win countless trophies and play amongst the best every year. Is there more to this game than winning, though?

Well, once upon a time, yes, loyalty to a club wasn’t uncommon. Now, though, finding a player to be a one-club man is very rare. Even some of the greats, such as Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard, albeit club icons, weren’t one-club men.

The Italians are amongst the most loyal in terms of their football clubs. The famous pairing of Franco Baresi and Paulo Maldini both remained at AC Milan for their entire careers, with well over a thousand appearances between them.

The Son Of Rome

Turning our attention to Rome and we find the subject of discussion. Francesco Totti. The Gladiator of Rome. A player who signifies loyalty, a player who was offered many options but stayed true to himself and became the embodiment of AS Roma.

A career full of highlights, a career full of admiration, a career that could have started from a new beginning. After his first experience of the Stadio Olimpico, young Francesco’s life changed forever. Never to be seen without a football at his feet, he had a dream, a dream that was only just beginning.

Growing up in Rome, he remembers there was a choice in life, red for AS Roma or blue for Lazio. As much as the choice was Francesco’s, family ties to the Giallorossi, there was only one option. However, AS Roma did not come knocking on his door at 13; instead, the giants of AC Milan were present. A swift discussion followed, with a decision being made by his mother, Fiorella. Francesco would not go to Milan and instead stay in Rome. A decision that changed the course of footballing history.

The Beginning Of 28 Years

A few weeks later, it became apparent that the decision from Fiorella was the correct one. AS Roma made an offer to bring Francesco to the club. An offer that was swiftly accepted. A move that changed his life and one that saw him playing his trade in the youth system for a couple of years.

Up until 1993, Francesco had never been included in the first team squad, but at aged 16, then coach Vujadin Boškov handed him his debut in a 2-0 away win over Brescia on March 28th. This was the beginning of his fairy tale. It wasn’t until September 1994 that Francesco notched his first goal for the Giallorossi in a 1-1 draw against Foggia.

An impressive couple of first seasons involved in the first team saw Francesco become a regular in the side. History would be made in 1998, Francesco Totti, on the 31st of October, became captain of AS Roma. A title he would hold until his retirement. A captaincy that saw him become the youngest captain in the league’s history. Donning the now-retired number 10 jersey, Francesco became one of the world’s very best players. This showed when he was named the Serie A Young Footballer of the Year for the 1998-99 season.

Admirers

The magical performances and his elegance on the ball over his career saw Francesco build up an impressive array of admirers. The late, great Diego Maradona once said, “Francesco Totti is the king of Rome. He is and will be the best player I ever saw.” Incredible words from one of the greatest to ever play the game. Thierry Henry, arguably the best player to ever grace the Premier League, had huge admiration towards Francesco, stating, “I have a lot of respect for 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.” Words such as these don’t come lightly, and to have players of this calibre singing his praises, we truly know that Francesco was one of the greats.

Winning For his City

Totti’s greatest club achievement came in 2001. Under the tutelage of renowned coach Fabio Capello and now playing as a playmaker in behind the strikers, Totti took the league title chase upon his shoulders. Francesco went on to score 16 goals that season, with his last of the season coming on the final day victory, a 3-1 win over Parma at the Stadio Olympico. A 3-1 win that would hand Francesco his first and only Scudetto. Not only did Totti win the Serie A Italian Footballer of the Year in this season he also placed at a personal high of fifth in the Ballon d’Or rankings behind (in order from first to fourth) Michael Owen, Raúl, Oliver Kahn and David Beckham.

What Could Have Been

Continuing on his footballing journey, award after award and hundreds of appearances for his boyhood club. Many people thought Francesco was destined for more. Something that really came to light in 2005. The Galacticos, Real Madrid, began the chase. Totti had been on Florentino Pérez’s radar for several years until this point. However, with Luis Figo heading out of the club, Pérez stepped up the chase. A contract worth more than Francesco’s current salary at AS Roma was certainly mouth-watering. Not only that, but the number 10 jersey was also promised to be printed with Totti, and a projection to make the playmaker a future captain.

To 99.9% of footballers, this is a simple decision. Pack up and head to Madrid. However, Francesco Totti is not your average footballer. The idea of watching his beloved AS Roma from afar did not sit well with Francesco. His comments during his career reflect this, stating he couldn’t forgive himself if he left and saw AS Roma slip down the table. He would become angry with himself to see an AS Roma loss. These comments made his decision easy.

One phrase that amplifies the love Totti has for AS Roma, and one that will forever be cemented in the history of the Giallorossi. ‘I wouldn’t go to Real Madrid, because it wasn’t my story. My story was Rome, Roma.’

International Stage

Totti’s performances for AS Roma over the years, understandably, led to international call-ups for Italy. Totti gained 58 caps for the senior national team, scoring 9 goals in that time. Not a prolific scorer on the international stage, but his one goal in the 2006 World Cup was as important as any other. An injury-time penalty in the round of 16 to beat Australia. Totti wasn’t deployed in the World Cup to be the scorer of goals but to be the creator, and his numbers showed. Finishing the tournament with the joint-most assists with four, along with Juan Román Riquelme. Not only this, but Totti was also instrumental to the Italian attack. The Italian attack that saw off France in the Final after a tense penalty shootout. Etching his name into Italian football folklore, Totti lifted the World Cup.

Post World Cup and Totti decided to retire from international football and focus on playing for his beloved club for as long as physically possible. Totti stayed true to his word and played for AS Roma until his footballing retirement in 2017. The man who embodied his hometown club hung up his boots after 786 appearances for the fans with 307 goals in the process.

Drawing The Curtain

The final game of his career was emotional. 28 years at one club is unheard of in the modern game. In that final game against Genoa, it was clear that in the final moments, Francesco was to be the last man touching the ball on the full-time whistle. Holding it in the corner until his time was done. Following the 3-2 victory, the spotlight fell on one man. The Stadio Olympico, still packed to the rafters with fans, was waiting for their man. A tifo on the pitch and an emotional farewell speech by the great man, no tear was left unshed in the stadium with fans, players and staff visibly distraught with the idea and realisation that the time had come for Totti to say goodbye.

Football no longer sees loyalty like that of Francesco Totti. Unfortunately, the modern game is won by the man with the deepest pockets. But Francesco Totti has shown the world that there is more to football than money. The only way to end this piece is to quote what the ‘Son of Rome’ once said.

‘People ask me, why spend your whole life in Rome? Rome is my family, my friends, the people that I love. Rome is the sea, the mountains, the monuments. Rome, of course, is the Romans. Rome is the yellow and red. Rome, to me, is the world. This club, this city, has been my life.’ Il Gladiatore. Francesco Totti.

Written and Researched by BSc Cavan Campbell

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