Francesco Totti has revealed that his retirement from Roma in 2017 was not his decision, saying the club’s management surprised him and left him uncertain about his future.
Speaking at the launch of his autobiography, Oltre, at Rome’s Teatro Brancaccio this week, the former Italy international described his departure from football as a symbolic death.
“In a sense, I died once. It was a forced farewell, not one I wanted,” Totti said.
The former Roma captain acknowledged that he always knew his playing career would eventually end, but said he had not expected the process to unfold as it did.
“I was the last to know about my retirement. I accepted the management’s decision, but I was afraid to turn the page,” he added.
Totti played his final professional match on 28 May 2017, when Roma beat Genoa 3-2 at the Stadio Olimpico. The game was followed by an emotional tribute from the club’s supporters, marking the end of his 25-season career with the Italian side.
However, the circumstances surrounding his farewell had already become a source of controversy. Earlier that month, Roma’s then-sporting director Monchi announced that the 2016-17 campaign would be Totti’s final season.
When asked about the announcement, Totti said he did not yet know whether he would retire. The club did not officially confirm his retirement until July, by which time he had already begun working in Roma’s management.
His time away from the pitch was also brief and ended amid disagreements over the way the club was being run. In June 2019, Totti left his management position and criticised the former leadership, saying he had not been involved in sporting decisions. Roma denied the accusations at the time.
Totti spent his entire playing career with Roma and remains one of the most important figures in the club’s history. He was part of Italy’s FIFA World Cup-winning squad in 2006 and won one Serie A title, two Coppa Italia trophies and two Supercoppa Italiana titles with the club.
The former No. 10 turns 50 in September.
