- An Italian football legend believes he can still make a big impact in Serie A today
- Although a return would be ‘difficult’, he believes he can make a difference
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Francesco Totti has backed himself to make a shock return to top-flight professional football, claiming it could be on the agenda in ‘two to three months’.
The Roma legend believes he could ‘easily’ dominate matches in Serie A and revealed that clubs have contacted him, although he acknowledged it would be ‘crazy’ and ‘difficult’.
Totti, 48, threw in the towel in 2017 after 25 seasons with Roma, winning one Serie A title and becoming their leading goal scorer and appearance maker.
He also won the 2006 World Cup with Italy, playing in all their matches despite injury problems heading into the tournament.
A return could see him break Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s age record as a Serie A outfield player by seven years, but he believes it is possible.
Francesco Totti has claimed he could sensationally return to playing within ‘two to three months’
Roma and Italy legend says clubs have contacted him and he can still ‘easily’ dominate as number 10 in Serie A
He acknowledged it would be “difficult” but has continued to play since 2017 and is confident
“With the level of the current Serie AI, I could easily have my say on the pitch,” he said via La Gazzetta dello Sport.
‘There were Serie A teams who called me. I admit they make me think, a little crazy. It would be hard, but in life you never say never. There are players who have continued to play many years after the end of their career.
‘It also depends on where you play, with all due respect, but if I return to Serie AI I would have to train very well.
‘I would be ready in two to three months. I’m still playing on 48. Half an hour, twenty minutes. If I had to do something crazy, I would do it in Italy, not abroad.
‘Maybe Inter will call me… Let’s make a dressing room, I’ll take the Chinese with me (a nod to Inter’s previous owners). When you turn the page, you never know what awaits you.
‘Maybe that’s why I have that thing in me. It is true that everything has a beginning and an end. A 10 in Italy? There isn’t one. I could come back.”
Gazzetta goes to great lengths to make it clear that this is not just a joke from Totti, reporting that he spoke in a ‘serious tone’.
The oldest player ever in Serie A is goalkeeper Marco Ballotta, who played for Lazio in 2008 at the age of 44 years, one month and eight days.
Totti won the World Cup and Serie A during a 25-year career at the top of the beautiful game
Ibrahimovic holds the record as an outfield player. He played for AC Milan in 2023 at the age of 41 years, five months and 15 days and even scored a penalty.
Considering he made his debut at the age of 16 years, six months and one day, it also stands to reason that any return would mark the longest time between a debut and the final match – at least 32 years.
If he continues to score, he could become the oldest man to suck his thumb in Italian football, given his iconic celebration.
Perhaps Roma, tenth in Serie A with two wins in eight games, could use him.