Francesco Totti hinted in October 2024 that he was contacted by Serie A clubs, but reveals that playing at the age of 48 wouldn't have been easy.
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
Totti hung up his boots in 2017Contemplated a return to football in JanuaryWas in talks with some Serie A clubs Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Roma legend and one-club man Francesco Totti brought curtains down on his illustrious playing career at the end of the 2016-17 season, retiring just a few months before he would turn 41. However, he revealed that coming out of retirement at the age of 48 would have been an arduous task for him.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Back in October 2024, the former Italy international hinted at a comeback to professional football, stating that he was in contact with a few Serie A clubs that he chose not to name.
"Some Serie A teams have contacted me. I admit that they made me think a little, a little crazy. It would be difficult, but in life, you never say never," Totti told reporters at an event.
"There are players who have played many years after the end of their career. It also depends on where you play, with all due respect, but if I were to return to Serie A I would have to train really well."
However, the 48-year-old, in fact, did not come out of retirement, stating that it wouldn't have been an easy task for him at his age.
WHAT FRANCESCO TOTTI SAID
“There was a chance [of returning to playing football],” Totti told Viva El Futbol (h/t Football Italia).
“It [the team] was in Italy, in Serie A. I was really feeling great, I swear. I trained every day, two hours a day. I was in top shape, in terms of stamina and in every other aspect.
It didn’t go through because I would have had to change too many things—it would have been messy. I would have had to move to a different city. I was supposed to live near [Antonio] Cassano, can you imagine?”
GettyWHAT NEXT FOR ROMA?
After enduring a difficult start to the 2024-25 season, which saw them part ways with managers Daniele De Rossi and Ivan Juric within the space of three months, things have started to look brighter for Il Giallorossi under Claudio Ranieri. They currently stand in eighth place in the Serie A standings and will take on Athletic Bilbao in the Round of 16 of the Europa League.