Italian side A.S. Roma have confirmed that 39-year-old attacker Francesco Totti has signed a one year extension, keeping him at the Giallorossi until the end of the 2016/17 Serie A campaign.
It’s official: Francesco #Totti will play on for an incredible 25th season with #ASRoma https://t.co/g8ZDXqjiNO pic.twitter.com/39ttnTYbS9
— AS Roma English (@ASRomaEN) June 7, 2016
Having made only 2 starts in Roma’s season run-in, the 39-year-old’s future at Roma was in doubt. According to WhoScored, the club legend played only 387 minutes this season, finding the back of the net on five occasions.
According to the Guardian, club manager Luciano Spaletti was forced to deny rumours that he was involved in a bust-up with the club legend. Meanwhile, Totti was quick to play down allegations that contract talks were stalled due to the player’s high wage demands, per ESPN.
However, the announcement that he would stay at the club for another year created a buzz among the Roma faithful.
Totti’s renewal: the only logical, sensical option. One more year of magic. Brace yourselves. Winter truly is coming.
— Julian De Martinis (@JulianDM11) June 7, 2016
Totti, an absolute legend of a player. Last contract signed, been at Roma for 25 seasons. What a guy??
— spursnut (@GregoryCross1) June 7, 2016
Totti is a prime example that if you look after your body and train smart you can keep playing at the highest level, age is just a number.
— Ben Holmes (@itsbenholmes9) June 7, 2016
#totti legend! Another year at #asroma
— Mike Boelee (@MBoelee) June 7, 2016
Francesco Totti ??⚽️? pic.twitter.com/YBMddSoDUh
— passive.aggressive. (@wandisofresh) June 7, 2016
There were a few who gave us a bit to laugh about.
If Francesco Totti was a girl, he would have been the most loyal girlfriend ever!
— DANNY∃L (@DannyelRMCF) June 7, 2016
39 year old Fransesco Totti signed a new one year deal… Damn, these boys don’t wanna retire.
— John The Baptist (@JohnnyAdam92) June 7, 2016
4 – Francesco Totti has played football with 4 of the Roma team’s great-grandfathers. Veteran.
— OptaJoke (@OptaJoke) June 7, 2016
A European Golden Shoe in 2007 would probably be one of the greatest moments in Totti’s illustrious career, or maybe the famous night in 2001, where he won Roma the Scudetto and forever etched his name in the history books.
Francesco Totti has scored or assisted a goal once every 41 minutes in Serie A this season.
The King. pic.twitter.com/90q2UadeW4
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) June 7, 2016
Francesco #Totti: It was always my dream to wear the #ASRoma shirt my whole career https://t.co/L1kQ8ooDS1 pic.twitter.com/BaV0Vo3Vi6
— AS Roma English (@ASRomaEN) June 7, 2016
Francesco Totti: Only Marek Hamsik (437 in 213 apps) has made more key passes in the last 6 Serie A seasons than Totti (399 in 159) #ASRoma
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) June 7, 2016
248 – Francesco #Totti has scored 248 goals in Serie A, at least 142 more than any other Roma’s player. Legend. pic.twitter.com/Q227x0CiRc
— OptaPaolo (@OptaPaolo) June 7, 2016
And finally to sum it up.
758 x appearances
304 x goals
5 x honours
1 x club legendFrancesco Totti signs a new one-year deal at Roma. pic.twitter.com/zQongzdHFy
— bet365 (@bet365) June 7, 2016