Casillas: Totti is a role model

“Totti is a wonderful player,” the 35-year-old Spanish goalkeeper told La Gazzetta dello Sport, days after Totti signed a new contract which will see him represent the Giallorossi into his 40s. “He’s a role model – not just for Roma, but for football fans all across Italy and the world and for the thousands of youngsters just starting out in the game.

“Getting older is difficult, but it’s even harder to stay with the same club for many years without people getting tired of you,” added Casillas.

Totti and Casillas faced off five times in the Champions League between 2001-02 and 2007-08, while Casillas was at Real Madrid.

Having signed for Porto in the summer of 2015, Casillas is preparing to take part in his fourth European Championships with Spain, who won the 2008 and 2012 editions of the finals as well as the 2010 World Cup.