Totti Reflects on Friedkins' Vision and His Ongoing Bond with Roma
At the Teatro Brancaccio, Francesco Totti introduced his latest book titled Oltre, surrounded by friends and family including Vincent Candela, Max Biagi, Noemi Bocchi, his children, and Gian Piero Gasperini. Speaking to the audience, Totti shared heartfelt thoughts about his journey over five decades.
"I've given and received so much love, mainly from my family, my kids, and the fans. It was a pure and beautiful exchange," he explained. "I was fortunate to pursue a career I loved, something driven by passion and joy."
The former Roma captain expressed how deeply he connected with the sport during his playing days. "Football was true love for me. Conveying what I felt on the pitch was challenging but sincere. In those moments, I was confident and hope my feelings reached others."
Farewell to Football: A Painful Transition
Totti also opened up about his retirement, describing it as a forced and painful chapter. "From one perspective, I’m dead. That farewell wasn’t something I wanted or felt ready for. I knew it would come eventually, but it was harder than I imagined. When you’re useful, you're valued; when you're not, you're discarded. It's a harsh reality in football, though I don't agree with it."
He admitted feeling lost after retiring. "I missed the routine of daily practices and games. When that foundation disappears suddenly, you start to wobble. Since it wasn’t my choice and I was the last to learn about it, I accepted reluctantly. I didn’t know what to expect turning the page. I tend to keep things inside, which can be both a strength and a weakness." He reflected on his 25 years at Roma, weighing the good and bad moments, wondering if he'd made mistakes. "Saying ‘dead’ is heavy, but ending such a long journey with one club felt like that. I was scared."
Tributes and Future Possibilities
During the event, Gian Piero Gasperini joined via video call and received warm applause. Totti praised him for bringing Roma back to the Champions League, stating, "Thanks to you, we get to experience those magical nights again. Roma deserves to play on that stage." Gasperini responded warmly, recalling the recent match against Real Madrid and the city's passion.
When asked about attending Roma's next match against Slovan Bratislava, Totti joked, "If I can find tickets, I’ll come." On the subject of Roma’s title hopes, after hearing no enthusiastic support from the crowd, he kept things grounded: "Let’s focus on tomorrow."
On His Relationship with the Friedkin Ownership
Totti addressed the long-discussed idea of returning to Roma in an official capacity. He revealed ongoing differences with the Friedkin family: "Usually meetings are two-way, but in seven or eight years, that hasn't happened here. Our visions don’t align. They think differently about life, work, and football. That’s fine. Either we collaborate, or we don’t. If they’re not on the same page, it’s better to stop there."
Despite this, he emphasized the bond he still feels with the club’s colors. "I hope the Friedkins achieve great things. I’m behind the scenes, but always present for Roma."
