'I was there': Fans at the Olimpico share their memories of Totti's farewell

On Sunday 28 May 2017, a day that will live forever in Roma history, the great Francesco Totti retired from football after an incredible one-club career.

After more than 24 years, 786 games and 307 goals, a whole generation of football fans who grew up knowing no other Roma No. 10 than Totti were forced to say an emotional, tearful farewell to one of the greatest players ever to play the game.

The Stadio Olimpico was sold out for the occasion, with everyone lucky enough to witness the game, the long goodbye, certain never to forget it.

These are some of their stories; some of their memories from a poignant, powerful day.

"It’s amazing and beautiful how Roma and football brings people together for the love of the game. At the time two of my brothers lived in Kuwait and England respectively, while I live in Boston. But we all flew across the world to meet up in Rome and say goodbye to our captain.

"The emotions of the match itself are indescribable. How does one truly thank Totti for giving his life to Roma? Who knows, but at least Perotti’s late goal confirmed Roma to the Champions League and made it so that Roma can build off Totti’s legacy."

- Yousif Alatiqi

"I was at the Olimpico, because when - last season - I realised it was going to be his last match I felt: I must be there! I´m a German history teacher, so I organised and went on a trip with my students to Rome in May. Didn´t tell anybody about my real plan!

"I booked my ticket in advance and so I could say goodbye to my favorite soccer player, after all these years. I'm a loyal AS Roma supporter and saw him a few times live throughout the years - always very special. A very moving evening, everybody - me as well - in tears.

"He is always going to be my captain. Because of his loyalty, his character and of course because he´s simply the best. GRAZIE CAPITANO!"

- Oliver Altmann

"I was at the stadium. I did not cry. And I am serious. I just could not do it. I was in shock. Everyone around me was in tears, but everything was stuck in my throat. I went home. I slept, and the next morning I woke up and, yes... I cried for three hours straight.

"I spent the morning in my room to work through the pain. The grief. Because the pain I felt was similar to the pain when a friend or family member moves a long way away and you will never see them again. You know it has to be that way, but it's not any better. You wanted it as it was before. You wanted it to be that way for ever, for nothing to ever change. It is a personal experience. Profound.

"That is why I did not cry at the stadium - because in the end I cried in such a strong and profound way that I simply could not show anyone. I miss you, Francesco."

- Mattia Montagnoli

"I was at the stadium with my mother, my girlfriend and my best friend - with whom I have watched Roma for many years. What can I say? I cried like a child who is told that Santa Claus does not exist...

"It was a unique day - I was happy to be there for the last goodbye but, at the same time, sad because it was the end of a love story more beautiful than one I have ever known.

"I am 25 and I grew up with Totti, he was one of the certainties in my life. There are days that change the way you look at the world... May 28 was one of them! Grazie Capitano!"

- Alessandro Di Giacomo

"I remember flying all the way to Rome, I remember waiting outside the doors searching for ticket to go inside, I remember jumping outside the stadium after we scored, I remember hearing him talking and crying while I'm outside and I couldn't even say goodbye to him... I remember that that day, I lost part of my heart."

- Rashid Shobaki

"I was at the Olimpico and couldn't understand a word he was saying..."

- Mark Harris

"I was at the stadium with my wife and my four-year-old son. It was his first game at the stadium wearing Totti's shirt. I could not have let him go without seeing Totti at least once on the pitch, so this was the best possible debut for him. My son will remember this day all his life, and can say that he saw the best Italian player that ever lived.

"The emotions of the day were so many, even after the joy of the game itself - where we clinched Champions League football. The sadness of saying goodbye to a champion and a brother, a feeling shared by the entire stadium who waved and celebrated and cheered and cried together."

- Alessandro Vetrano

"I was at the stadium. I can only say that even now I am not ready to talk about it. The biggest shock of my life - whoever wrote that they hoped they would die before Totti retired was absolutely right."

- Lorenzo Chionne

"I remember everything, from the morning I woke up with the worst feeling in the pit of my stomach to the endless hours before leaving for the stadium. I remember too walking outside the stadium before the match, already crying because I could not accept that this was the last time I would go to see Roma with the Capitano on the pitch.

"Then the game, 90 intense minutes with the goal from Perotti right at the end - we celebrated qualifying for the Champions League, but a minute later I was inconsolable at the thought that Totti would not play again. Through good fortune, I had watched him play my whole life. Year after year. But he will always be the Capitano; in another role, perhaps, but he will always be Totti. This is the most important thing. Thanks, Capitano, and forza Roma!"

- Emanuele Lunedei

"I was at the stadium in my usual spot in Tribuna Tevere, from where I had celebrated so many of his goals! But that day was strange and different, and the game was played in an almost surreal atmosphere.

"I did not want to cry, I just wanted to applaud him forever... but when I saw him on the big screen, crying and struggling with the moment, my heart gave out on me and I was sobbing away like everyone else. Grazie Capitano!"

- Gabriella Ciapparoni