No dry eyes as Totti bows out

– Diego Perotti struck at the death as Roma handed club icon Francesco Totti (above) a farewell to remember with a thrilling 3-2 win at home to Genoa in a packed Stadio Olimpico on Sunday.

Totti, playing his final game with the capital side after a storied 25-year career that garnered only one league title, was handed a final-day gift when he was called upon to replace Egyptian Mohamed Salah on 54 minutes.

Totti failed to score on what was his 619th and final Serie A appearance of 785 in total.

But by the end of a valuable win that secured Roma’s place in next season’s Champions League, the evergreen playmaker experienced a send-off that saw almost the entire stadium shed tears.

One tearful fan broke the barriers to run and hug his hero as they waved off arguably the most symbolic player in Italy over the past 20 years.

“The moment has arrived. I’ve cried the whole day. This was my only shirt,” said Totti.

“I took this decision with my wife and my family. I’d like to stay for another 25 years. Thank you Roma, thanks to my family, my mum, dad and brother.

“I’d love to write a poem, a song, but all I can do is try to use my feet to express myself.”

Totti played a pivotal role in Roma ending an 18-year wait for the scudetto in 2001, and – barring any last-minute decision to continue his playing career elsewhere – is now set to start working alongside Roma’s sporting director Monchi.

He added: “Damn it. I get goosebumps when I think about June 17, 2001. From tomorrow, I’ll be a grown up.”

Roma’s victory left Luciano Spalletti’s men in second place, one point ahead of Napoli and four behind champions Juventus, who sealed a record sixth consecutive Serie A title last week. – AFP