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English magazine FourFourTwo this month claimed that the English media have never appreciated Totti like football fans on the continent.
We asked one fan from all 20 Premier League clubs just what they think of Il Capitano…
Arsenal fan Luke Nicoli: “Arsenal have faced Roma a couple of times in the Champions League and although Totti was always the player to be feared, fortunately he never scored against us. Indeed I remember him getting sent off early in one game following a challenge on Martin Keown, who made the most of the contact it has to be said. Totti won't, therefore, have many fond memories of facing Arsenal but he will always be remembered as one of the greatest strikers of his generation.”
Aston Villa fan Matt Cutler: “You can probably count on one hand the number of attacking players who have been able to perform at the very top level past the age of 36 or 37. Totti scored in the Champions League aged 38…and the fact that aged 39, and despite being ruled out for a number of months with injury, he is on his way back to the Roma team says it all.”
Bournemouth fan Steve Cuss: “I’ve massive respect for the loyalty Totti has shown to his boyhood club. Statue minimum I'd say, when he retires.”
"Totti commands nothing but the highest respect among Liverpool fans. He’s a great player and someone who’d have been warmly welcomed in the red shirt of Liverpool.”
- Mark Platt, Liverpool fan
Crystal Palace fan David Jamieson: “I've often considered Francesco Totti as being the David Beckham of Italian football. He's probably a better footballer than Beckham and I'm not comparing playing styles. But, like Beckham, during his career Totti transcended being a mere player and came to personify or embody Italian football for a period.”
Everton fan Robert Rogers: “Totti is a dying breed of footballer who has stayed loyal to the one club he has been at since a teenager and has resisted the temptations of a big money deal to one of Europe’s elite clubs.”
Leicester City fan Carl Brown: “Totti has been a great finisher with huge technical ability over many years.”
"In this era of mercenaries, we would all love a 'Totti' at our club. As a City fan, maybe the best compliment I can pay him is that when he was played through on goal in the CL tie against us in 2014 - every one of us knew the outcome. Legend.”
- Don Trickett, Manchester City fan
Liverpool fan Mark Platt: “No matter who you support, it’s impossible not to admire Francesco Totti. As the archetypal one-club man, a fan who lived the dream and has given his utmost for the club he loves, Totti commands nothing but the highest respect among Liverpool fans. Of course, he’s a great player too. To achieve success at the highest level for club and country on a consistent basis makes him one of the finest of his generation and someone who’d have been warmly welcomed in the red shirt of Liverpool.”
Manchester City fan Don Trickett: “Totti? An extremely gifted footballer with the skill, grace and vision which only those rare players who encapsulate the beautiful game possess. Every right-minded football fan loves Totti and not just for that supreme ability or the incredible longevity - but for that other rare commodity in top-level players these days - loyalty to the club he loves. In this era of mercenaries, we would all love a 'Totti' at our club. As a City fan, maybe the best compliment I can pay him is that when he was played through on goal in the CL tie against us in 2014 - every one of us knew the outcome! Legend.”
Manchester United fan Frank Dunne: “The argument against him being counted as one of the greats is that he hasn't done it at the highest level. Which is nonsense. He was a key member of Lippi's 2006 World Cup winning squad.”
“Francesco Totti is Mr. Roma, if not Mr, Serie A in my opinion. The man has won Serie A, the Coppa Italia and the World Cup."
- Declan Cullinan, Tottenham Hotspur
Newcastle fan Joe Prileszky: “I've always been a fan. Genuine shame us Premier League fans didn't see him play in the league, but his loyalty to Roma has been amazing. Deserves to be mentioned as one of the all time greats.”
Norwich fan Joel Brookes: “When I think of Italian football, Francesco Totti is what comes to mind. I feel he'll become more appreciated when he retires, as people look back on his career.”
Southampton fan Sam MacDonald: “As a Southampton fan brought up on Matt Le Tissier, the notion of a one-club superstar has always had a romantic beauty to me and Totti is certainly that and more. Whenever Roma are playing on Football Italia, I tune in to watch him because you know he has that ability to do something extraordinary and his connection to the Roma fans is something truly special.”
“Only football purists who aren't force-fed Messi et al on a drip will appreciate the genius that is Francesco Totti. A leader, a legend. One whose loyalty means his legacy, through the eyes of some, will see him down the pecking order of the all-time greats. We will never appreciate what a gladiator he has been.”
- Scott Richards, Stoke fan
Sunderland fan Graeme Atkinson: “He's the Italian Ryan Giggs! A legend who despite his advancing years seems to be able to keep up with the modern game.”
Swansea fan Paul Thomas: “For me, Totti was one of the world’s most iconic players while I growing up - a sublime player. At his peak his vision, skill and technical ability were incredible. It is a wonder why he didn't play more for Italy. All clubs have their heroes, but they don’t come much bigger than Totti.”
Tottenham Hotspur fan Declan Cullinan: “Francesco Totti is Mr. Roma, if not Mr, Serie A in my opinion. The man has won Serie A, the Coppa Italia and the World Cup. Never mind being Roma's top goalscorer and most capped player. I appreciate his well-deserved legacy as a fan of football.”
Watford fan Jim Stewart: “He's a player I think is well-regarded here although more as a member of the Italian national team than of Roma, that's where we've seen him most. I would rate him as one of Europe's top strikers of the past couple of decades.”
“Totti is a one club footballer who has been a joy to watch over the years. Would’ve loved to have seen him at close quarters in Premier League.”
- Steve Freeth, West Brom fan
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