30 years on, Bruno Conti reflects on his Roma farewell

On 28 November 1990, Roma were 5-0 up in the first leg of their UEFA Cup last-16 encounter with Bordeaux when Carlos Bianchi brought on Bruno Conti with ten minutes left to play.

It would be his last appearance in a Roma jersey.

When asking ‘Mara-Zico’, as he was once dubbed, what first comes to mind when he thinks of Roma, he replied: “The tears of joy in my father’s eyes. And the roar of the Olimpico.”

Speaking exclusively to asroma.com, Conti explained: “I’ll never forget the look on my father’s face when I told him that I – one of his seven children – was joining Roma. He was a Roma fan and it made him the happiest man alive. I was going to play for the team he loved."

He added: “I can’t deny that my last season was difficult, as is often the case for great players. I remember the roar of the Stadio Olimpico when I came on as a sub against Bordeaux. I remember the fans screaming my name. I have them to thank for those last 10 minutes. That day I understood there was no room for me in that team anymore.

“When I saw Francesco Totti’s film it took me back to my own final, tormented, season. At the end of that year I was faced with a dilemma: continue playing at another club or tie my name to Roma forever.

“I had plenty of offers from other clubs but I had grown up in the Roma academy and made my debut under Nils Liedholm. After 17 years in a Giallorossi jersey, I just couldn’t see myself wearing any other colours, so I preferred to call it a day. I organised my farewell with Gilberto Viti [Roma’s organisational secretary for many years]. It was the right thing to do: I was born into Roma.

“I liked coaching and after hanging up my boots I got my badges at Acquacetosa and Coverciano. Roma called me and asked me to take on the ‘79/80 crop, with the likes of [Manuele] Blasi and [Daniele] De Vezze.

“I was over the moon. You might be a good player but when it comes to coaching, you still have to learn the ropes, and it was the same for me.

“Then, when Ermenegildo Giannini – Giuseppe’s father – left the youth academy, the club placed me in charge. I enjoyed coaching but I couldn’t say no to Roma, so I threw myself into the job. I got a lot of enjoyment out of it too.

“I’m still here now and I’m honoured to be wearing these colours. Because this is ROMA. You don’t question Roma; you love Roma – especially if you grew up at the club, like me.

"I’m proud of the fact that I’ve always stayed in this great family.”