Totti Reflects on His Past and Future with Roma Amid Friedkins’ Different Vision
Francesco Totti Unveils New Book "Oltre"
At a recent event, Francesco Totti introduced his latest book titled Oltre. The gathering at Teatro Brancaccio included guests like Vincent Candela, Max Biagi, Noemi Bocchi, his children, and coach Gian Piero Gasperini. Totti shared reflections spanning over 50 years of life, highlighting the love he received and gave, especially from family and fans.
"I was doing a job I always wanted, a passion of mine, something I enjoyed," Totti said from the stage. "It was a simple, beautiful exchange of love and respect."
On His Playing Days and Farewell to Football
The former Roma captain spoke about his time on the pitch, describing it as true love. He admitted that expressing those feelings wasn't easy but felt confident in himself during those moments.
"I’m dead, in a way," Totti remarked about his retirement. "It was a forced farewell I didn’t want or feel ready for. I knew it had to come eventually, but the way it happened was painful."
He explained how football’s nature values usefulness, and once a player is no longer seen as useful, they are often discarded. This harsh reality hit him hard.
After retiring, Totti felt lost and scared. The daily routines he cherished disappeared abruptly, leaving uncertainty about his next chapter.
"If you take the ground from under us, we start to wobble," he said. "I was the last to know about my own departure and reluctantly accepted it. I spent time reflecting on my 25 years, the good and bad, wondering if I made mistakes. I felt dead inside because that era ended."
Gasperini's Praise and Roma's Return to Champions League
Coach Gian Piero Gasperini joined the event via video call, receiving warm applause. Totti thanked him for guiding Roma back to the Champions League, calling those nights magical and deserving for the club.
"Roma deserves that stage," Totti said. "Thank you for bringing us back."
Gasperini responded by recalling the recent match against Real Madrid and the passionate stadium atmosphere. Though unable to attend in person, he expressed his desire to connect with the fans.
Totti’s Possible Presence at Upcoming Match and Scudetto Thoughts
When asked if he would attend Roma’s game versus Slovan Bratislava, Totti joked, "Okay, if I find tickets, I’ll come." Regarding Roma’s chances at the Scudetto, he avoided hype and suggested focusing on the immediate challenges.
Differences with Friedkins Ownership and Future Prospects
The topic of Totti returning to Roma stirred conversation. He openly acknowledged a lack of shared vision with the current owners, the Friedkins.
"Usually, meetings should be two-way, but in seven or eight years, that never happened," Totti said. "They have different ideas about life, work, and football. Either we do things together, or we don’t."
This difference keeps the door closed for now, yet Totti still maintains his affection for the club.
"I hope the Friedkins go far," he added. "I’m behind the scenes, but I’m always there for Roma."
