Italian legend renews contract for another two years.
Despite his advancing years Roma captain Francesco Totti remains a joy to watch for Serie A audiences on a weekly basis, and he ensured he would remain a regular fixture of the league after signing a two-year extension on Friday.
The 36-year-old has established an iconic standing amongst the Giallorossi faithful, having progressed through the club’s youth ranks and is now taking part in a 22nd Serie A campaign.
Yet despite the years ticking over, the World Cup winner continues to be an influential and creative figure of the side, and appears to be relishing his role in Rudi Garcia’s system this season so far.
Deployed in a more withdrawn role behind two pacey attacking wingers, Totti has been able to dictate the flow of attacking movements and is well supported by a talented midfield trio of Kevin Strootman, Miralem Pjanic and Daniele De Rossi.
While he may not perhaps have the same agility and movement as he had earlier in his career, his stamina levels are remarkable given his age and his desire has never been in question.
Having signed his extension, he will hope to lead the capital club to victory over bitter city rivals Lazio on Sunday in the Derby della Capitale, and potentially add to his tally of 228 goals in Serie A.
Totti will forever remain a fans favourite, but it is his influence on Italian football as a whole which will separate him from his team-mates and opponents when he eventually decides to call an end to his playing career.
Alongside the likes of Paolo Maldini and Alessandro Del Piero, he has established himself as one of the last remaining flag-bearers for the top Serie A sides, spending his entire career with the same club despite tempting offers from abroad.
Fabio Capello once famously said that “one Scudetto in Rome is worth ten in Milan or Turin”, and with the last triumph coming back in 2001, Totti will hope to lead his beloved Giallorossi to another before he eventually decides to hang his boots up.
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