Francesco Totti was truly a one of a kind player. He came through the youth ranks at AS Roma and spent his entire career at the club, in a run that spanned 24 years at the senior level. It was not because of a lack of options that he did not leave the Italian club though. In fact, clubs like Real Madrid and Barcelona wanted to sign him, but he stayed put.
It ended up making him an absolute icon of Italian and world football. While he might not have won an enormous amount of silverware with AS Roma, he was a brilliant player throughout his run there. And he did win the 2006 World Cup with Italy.
Many people have wondered how things could have turned out for Totti though, if he had left AS Roma in order to join a club like Real Madrid while at the peak of his powers. Unfortunately, we will never know.
Despite not making the move to Los Blancos, he only has positive things to say about the club though. He even admitted it to being his second team.
Real Madrid fans will be delighted with Totti’s comments
As reported by Real Madrid’s official website, Totti said:
"“After Roma, Real Madrid is my second team and the club I’ve always supported and admired.”"
Totti visited Real Madrid City and was in attendance for the club’s 2-0 win over Celta Vigo at the weekend. The Italian legend also spoke of his relationship with Carlo Ancelotti and had great things to say about the manager:
"“Ancelotti and I have a fantastic relationship. He’s a genuine, pure person who transmits such positivity. He gave me the chance to come and see Real Madrid City and here I am.”"
If Totti had made the move to a club like Real Madrid, or Barcelona, he would have won a lot of trophies. But at the end of the day, he has a unique legacy in football. There are not many one club players left in football and he is immortal in AS Roma history. That has to count for something, beyond silverware.