Francesco Totti bid an emotional farewell to Roma after a remarkable 25-season career with his hometown club on May 28, 2017, contributing to a 3-2 win over Genoa in Serie A that secured the Giallorossi a spot in the Champions League.
Almost 60,000 fans inside the Stadio Olimpico stood up and cheered when the 40-year-old Totti replaced Mohamed Salah in the 54th minute. And even if Totti didn’t score or set up any goals, his mere presence was what the supporters came to see.
“Unfortunately the time has come. I’ve cried every day,” Totti said in a post-match speech from the center of the pitch. “It’s a decision I made with my wife and my family. I would stay here another 25 years. Thank you Roma.
“I would have liked to write a poem or a song but I’ve tried to express myself with my feet,” Totti added.
“Excuse me if recently I haven’t talked much or cleared up my thoughts,” Totti said. “I’m taking my shirt off for the last time and folding it up well and good. The lights are turning off now and I’m afraid. Allow me to have a little fear. Now I need your help.”
During the elaborate post-match ceremony, a huge No. 10 jersey with Totti’s name on it was unveiled at the center of the pitch. All of Roma’s players put on shirts featuring Totti’s No. 10 while the electronic publicity boards lining the pitch read, "Grazie Capitano" (Thanks Captain).
Totti then walked around the stadium’s athletic track while holding third child Isabel in his arms, with his other two children and wife Ilary Blasi accompanying him.
At one point, Totti stopped and leaned on the publicity barriers and just stared into the stands. Then he cried on Blasi’s shoulder.
Totti also signed a ball with the words, “I’ll miss you,” on it and then kicked it into the “Curva Sud” — southern end — of the stadium where the hard-core “ultra” fans sit.
At the conclusion of his speech, Totti told the fans, “I love you.”
Source: m.allfootballapp.com