Totti reflects on ‘special’ achievement ahead of 25th season with same club
Francesco Totti hopes hard work in pre-season will translate into a successful campaign on the pitch, as he prepares for his 25th and final season as a Roma player.
Totti, embarking on his 25th successive pre-season in a remarkable career, admits that such longevity means a lot to him — but is under no illusions about how hard coach Luciano Spalletti will work him and the rest of the squad as they prepare for the 2016–17 season.
The work starts this week in Pinzolo.
“It’s a special feeling,” Totti told asroma.com. “It’s also my 25th consecutive camp with the same team — which I don’t think many other players have done. That’s a great source of pride for me.”
On Spalletti’s famously arduous pre-seasons, he added: “I know what we are in for here. It’s a different preparation than other teams — it’s hard work but it’s good work. The workloads are never back-breaking, and we’re also smiling a lot.
“We’re all happy to be here and work hard together for Roma.”
With the finish line to an illustrious career now in sight, it might be tempting for Totti to slip into a reflective mood. But the 39-year-old hopes there are still more highlights to come.
“I see beautiful things when I look back on my career,” Totti noted. “I’ve won trophies — some say just a few, but I actually think we won quite a lot. I hope I’ll be able to add some more silverware this last season too, although it won’t be easy.
“There’s always talk of objectives before the start of the season … we always try to give the most. But we know it’s an extremely tough struggle. We’ve got an extremely competitive and strong team in front of us — Juventus. They’ve proven that in the last five years, but I hope that the coach, the club and the players work to narrow the gap and aim for one of the most important trophies in football.”
Totti is ready to contribute as required.
“I always try and give the most, it’s up to the coach to decide,” he added. “I’ll be ready and willing to play whenever and wherever he chooses.”
He hopes another senior player, Kevin Strootman, can be similarly influential.
“We’ve been without him for the last couple of years because of his knee injuries but he’s a massive player for us and a real leader — on and off the pitch,” Totti said. “He always gives 100%, even in friendlies and in training.
“He hates losing and I’m sure he’ll add a lot to the team.”
Having progressed from callow 16-year-old to eternal captain of the Giallorossi, Totti is well-placed to offer advice to the next generation of players — nine of whom have been invited to Pinzolo to work with Spalletti’s squad.
Totti’s advice for those Primavera graduates? Respect your elders!
“I would definitely say that you need to respect the older players,” he said. “Things may change in football — I remember a 16-year-old player used to have to ask before entering the dressing room, but those things have changed now.
“But I think when there’s respect for the older players the team can achieve a lot.”
The club captain also had a message for the fans, pledging to help where he can to ensure the Stadio Olimpico is full this season.
“I really hope they can give us big hand this year,” he said. “I hope they can return to the stadium and fill the Curva Sud again. We can’t go on like this, both for us [the players] and for them, and I will do whatever it takes — I will even join the talks — to help our fans and make the Curva come back.”
Totti also gave his approval to the 25th — and final — Roma home shirt he will wear during his career.
“We’re back to a vintage Roma look,” he noted. “So I’m very happy for that.”
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