“Francesco is not only a formidable player – a “fuoriclasse" as you say in Italy – but also a man with great qualities outside of football.
“For me he is one of the very best players in the history of the sport. What I would really love is to win something with him at Roma."
(Rudi Garcia, Roma manager).
I think Garcia has went slightly overboard in his praise, but I must admit Francesco Totti has been a wonderful player and probably an unappreciated player for years.
I wouldn't put him down among the "best players in the history of the sport", but one of the finest of his generation undoubtedly.
You have to admire the man. Not only as a great player, but as a "one-club" man.
But has his loyalty held him back? Fans would love to have players like Totti, not just because they are entertaining but because they are loyal, but did this wonderful footballer deserve more than a solitary Serie A title in 2002, along with two Coppa Italia trophies? And just what could he have achieved had he left Roma?
I know he has had a great International career, but I'm focusing specifically on club football.
Francesco would never have left Roma, and I do not think he would swap what he has done at Roma for any amount of Champions League wins- a feat he surely would have achieved had he left?
Francesco Totti- "Among Best In History"
posted on 8/9/13
At his peak he would have graced pretty much any club side in the world so I don't have much doubt that in terms of trophies he could have achieved more.
I do think the praise is a bit overboard though, great player sure but I reckon if you asked most people to name the modern italian great then the names Maldini and Baggio would come up most often. Possibly followed by the likes of Baresi and Pirlo. Totti would be a little further down the list.
Strangely I always thought he slightly under-achieved at international level, possibly because Baggio often took his no.10 role, but then he has a World Cup winners medal, not many have those.
Personally I'd say a great player and a Roma legend but accolades beyond that I struggle to agree with.
posted on 14/9/13
He had the talent to play for any team, and if he left, he could have won nearly every trophy available.
I appreciate and admire the fact he has stayed at Roma more than I would if he had left and won more trophies else where.
One of my favourite ever players.