Roma icon Francesco Totti played his final game on Sunday after a storied 25-year career. While Roma won the thrilling match against Genoa 3-2, it was the emotional farewell that saw almost the entire stadium shed tears.
“The moment has arrived. I’ve cried the whole day. This was my only jersey… I’d love to write a poem, a song, but all I can do is try to use my feet to express myself,” Totti said after the match.
He added: “Damn it. I get goosebumps when I think about June 17, 2001. From tomorrow, I’ll be a grown up.”
Grazie! pic.twitter.com/EHpwZDcvEo
— Francesco Totti (@Totti) May 28, 2017
Tributes poured in for Totti from the entire football fraternity across the world as he marked the end to a record career. Thousands of fans showed up sporting special T-shirts and banners to pay tribute to “Il Re di Roma” (The King of Rome), and there was not a dry eye in the stadium during the sentimental send-off.
From 1992 to 2017, @Totti's glorious career has ended where it began | @OfficialASRoma | Farewell, #IlCapitano #Tottiday pic.twitter.com/aMydUXq8dK
— TheField (@thefield_in) May 29, 2017
There were plenty of touching tributes on social media as well, as the 40-year-old made his final appearance. Here’s what Twitter had to say as football bid farewell to Francesco Totti.
The message written on the special shirt presented to Francesco today... 📜#TottiDay #ThanksTotti #Totti #ASRoma pic.twitter.com/JYPugrfN2h
— AS Roma English (@ASRomaEN) May 28, 2017
The oldest scorer in #UCL history, Francesco @Totti comes on for his 786th and final Roma appearance. Grazie Totti! 👏👏👏#Totti #TottiDay pic.twitter.com/Cnbusngjt5
— Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) May 28, 2017
GRAZIE CAPITANO! 1️⃣0️⃣ #Totti pic.twitter.com/noQs4oSQ3J
— Alessandro Florenzi (@Florenzi) May 28, 2017
👏👏 @Totti 👏👏
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) May 28, 2017
Legend.#TottiDay #Totti pic.twitter.com/xrJigCGQY1
.@Totti, we'll never forget your lob here at San Siro. It's been an honour to go at it for the past 25 years. Good luck! 👏 #TottiDay #FCIM
— F.C. Internazionale (@Inter_en) May 28, 2017
The Son of Rome closes the curtains on an illustrious 25 year career in the Eternal City.
— ItalianFootballDaily (@ItalianFD) May 29, 2017
Addio @Totti! 👑🔶🔴👏🇮🇹 pic.twitter.com/r1brGCwas2
How proud it was to play alongside @Totti !!! Thank you Capitano 💛❤️#TOTTIDAY #ThanksTotti #kingofRome @OfficialASRoma @ASRomaEN pic.twitter.com/gck3Qw09Eq
— Gervinho (@GervinhOfficial) May 28, 2017
Francesco Totti reads his farewell letter to an emotional Stadio Olimpico #TottiDay pic.twitter.com/CyC1m399yv
— Serie A News (@TransfersCalcio) May 28, 2017
Unbelievable scenes in Rome. Just pure raw emotion as the #Totti chapter ends at @ASRomaEN. At least as a player.
— Pulasta Dhar (@TheFalseNo9) May 28, 2017
Not many players are loyal to their clubs, but Totti was. A pure legend not just for @ASRomaEN but for football too. ⚽️ #ThanksTotti #Totti pic.twitter.com/5SbW4YfxCW
— Sophie ⚽️ (@sophielaura_fcb) May 28, 2017
Francesco #Totti:
— Serie A Sitdown (@SerieASitdown) May 28, 2017
🕰Years: 25
👤Games: 785
⚽Goals: 307
🎯Assists: 123
🏆Trophies: 5
🇮🇹Clubs: 1
End of an era 👑😢 @OfficialASRoma #Roma pic.twitter.com/FcIzZ1Hl25
Even buses in Rome are thanking Francesco Totti. Beautiful! 👏 #TottiDay pic.twitter.com/TxNnOkDjvD
— Fanatics of Football (@footynews129) May 28, 2017
#Totti with partners. pic.twitter.com/yvzLxkdPo7
— ssfm1902 (@ssfm1902) May 28, 2017
After today, our league will never be the same. The end of an era. Only one thing left to say: #GrazieTotti #TottiDay pic.twitter.com/cofBhU3PFr
— ItalianFootballTV (@IFTVofficial) May 28, 2017