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Francesco Totti has revealed his delight at signing a one-year contract extension at Roma, ensuring he will realise his dream of retiring having only ever played for one club.
The legendary forward signed a deal for a 25th and final season in professional football alongside Roma president Jim Pallotta on Tuesday, and admitted afterwards that he has high hopes that it will be a memorable farewell campaign.
“It’s a fantastic feeling," Totti said, after signing his extension. "“I always wanted to end my career having only worn one shirt – the Roma one - and I think I earned it."
How was your meeting with president James Pallotta?
“It was a straightforward meeting, as always. Every time we see each other we speak about everything, about what’s happened during the year. I thought he was on great form.”
You’ve also laid the foundations for a future as a club official. How does that feel?
“I’m delighted, because after this year as a player I have another six as a director. As I’ve always told the president and the club as a whole, I preferred to have a specific role such as technical director. They’ve agreed to that and I’m very grateful for it.”
All this comes against the backdrop of the exciting Stadio della Roma project, something that the fans and the whole city are eagerly anticipating.
“Yes, the whole city and beyond. It’s going to be a wonderful, self-owned stadium, where great things will be able to happen. We hope it can become reality as soon as possible and remain forever.”
Aside from your own personal satisfaction, your form towards the end of season provoked an outpouring of admiration from all over the world, not just in Rome. Were you expecting that?
“Not the way it happened. If you think about what I did it’s not logical – nobody would have expected it, least of all me. Thankfully it did and I was able to contribute to the team finishing in third position. That’s very important, both for me and the club.”
Were you expecting to hit such form in such a short space of time and be so decisive?
“Nobody would have expected me to change matches in a couple of minutes. People always expect something a little bit different from me, but to be quite honest I would never have thought I could change the course of a game in four, seven or ten minutes. I’m glad it happened and I’ll keep that with me, because it’s something that will go down in Roma history.”
What’s the most vivid memory of this season?
“It’s not easy to pick out just one, but I’ll go with the Torino game. The match was virtually over – there were just four minutes left. When I came on, my first instinct was to take the free-kick, but I saw [Miralem] Pjanic and headed straight for the box. I scored with my first touch and a minute later scored again. It’s a dream that thankfully I was able to experience in front of the fans.”
The whole team came running up to congratulate you…
“To be honest I didn’t really see what happened at the time – I was mobbed by lots of team-mates. I didn’t realise the whole bench had come to congratulate me. It was touching to watch it back – it shows we have a united group that had real desire to achieve the objective of taking Roma back to the Champions League. That was our primary objective at that point.”
What was the key moment in Roma’s fightback last season?
“I think it was the unity the team showed to get ourselves out of a tough moment. At the end of the day, our stubbornness and unity meant we were able to get what we wanted.”
Your message was clear: My goals should unite not divide, let’s work together towards a common goal.
“It was a situation where the fans had created a rift between the coach and I. I wanted to silence the rumours. When Roma win, it’s good for everyone, not just for the club and the coach.”
You always had a really competitive squad, but what was it that Luciano Spalletti brought that got you out of that difficult patch?
“He brought us a great deal and got a good team back on track. That said, we did well too to adopt his style and have an excellent second half of the season.”
When the fans see the photos of you shaking on the deal with Pallotta there is sure to be another outpouring of love. Do you have a message for your supporters?
“There’s not much to say, they’ve been showing me their affection for 25 years now. I’ve said everything and more. I’ve always shown great love towards them – it’s a mutual thing. It’s been like that forever and it will be until death, as I’ve always said. I’ve been able to realise this dream, not just my dream but I hope that of the majority of the fans too.”
How big would it be to have the Curva Sud back again next season?
“On behalf of everyone – myself, the club and the team – I truly hope that they come back to where they belong as soon as possible. With them behind us, we’ll definitely be able to give 101% more. Without them, it all gets a bit tricky. Knowing the facts, and in the hope that all of the problems in the section can be resolved, I’m confident. I really hope I can spend my last year celebrating with them. I hope to win my second Scudetto with Roma.”
That would make you the first player in history to win two Scudetti with Roma. Do you believe it’s possible?
“We believe. Obviously at the start of the season people draw up their predictions and it all looks very simple. We’re aiming as high as possible, though we know that Juventus are better than everyone else. That said, when I spoke to the president today he guaranteed that he will build a great Roma side and I said I believed I had a chance of winning a second Scudetto.”
Are you already starting to prepare yourself psychologically for next season?
“Right now I’m going to enjoy my holidays and this contract. When I return, I’ll be focused on the new season, as always.”
You know Spalletti: What else can he give you now that he’ll be working with the team from the summer?
“A lot. As I’ve always said, I see him as one of the best coaches in Italy. He has all the attributes you need and given that he knows Roma, he can give as a great deal. If we don’t implement what he asks of us, it’ll be very difficult.”
There was an amazing reception for Mohamed Salah and yourself on the recent trip to the UAE. What kind of welcome are you expecting in the USA?
“I would never have expected the kind of reception I received. Salah is from that area and there was a huge roar when the fans saw him. He deserves that, as a player and a person. On a personal level, obviously it’s really gratifying – when you travel to other parts of the world and get a similar reaction, it means you’ve achieved something in football. We’ll see in America and at the end of the tour I’ll tell you how it was.”
Do you have a message for your club team-mates Daniele De Rossi, Stephan El Shaarawy and Alessandro Florenzi ahead of the Euros?
“I wish them all the best. I know how important the competition is and how wonderful it is to be taking part. All players should always give their all for Italy, as we’ve always done. I really hope they have a great Euros and win it, although they’ll have to touch wood now…”
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