Totti names the two Serie A clubs that wanted to sign him after retirement

GENOA, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 28: Francesco Totti, former captain of Roma, reacts prior to kick-off in the Serie A TIM match between Genoa CFC and AS Roma at Stadio Luigi Ferraris on September 28, 2023 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by Simone Arveda/Getty Images)

Italy and Roma legend Francesco Totti reveals Genoa and Como wanted to sign him at 48, seven years after his retirement.

Genoa and Como tried to sign Totti in 2024, the former Roma and Inter striker wrote in his biography.

Two years ago, Totti said Serie A clubs approached him about returning from retirement, and today those clubs’ identities have been revealed.

“I said no to Genoa and Como when I was 48,” Totti wrote via Sky Sport.

Back then, Genoa was coached by a familiar face for Totti.

“Gilardino was the coach of Genoa, a 2006 Italy World Cup winner just like me, while Cesc Fabregas was already on the bench at Como. He’s one of the greatest names in football history,” continued the ex-Roma striker.

“Gilardino was 42 and Fabregas 37, so I would have been six and 11 years older, respectively. These aren’t urban legends; it’s the absolute truth. Incredible, but true. Crazy.”

Totti retired in 2017 after spending his entire playing career with Roma. He scored 307 goals in 786 appearances for the Giallorossi, winning the Scudetto in 2000-01, two Supercoppa Italiana titles, and two Coppa Italia titles.

He’s the player with the most goals and appearances in competitive matches in Roma’s history.

“The first people to approach me were the Genoa directors, and I spoke to them directly,” he continued.

“They asked me a simple question: ‘Do you want to take on this new experience or not?’ They were serious. I took some time to make up my mind, and before giving them an answer, I started working hard, really hard.

“I like Marassi. It’s a beautiful, old-school English-style stadium, with passionate fans who follow the games right up close to the pitch. You can feel their breath down your neck. And then, I actually played my final game in a Roma shirt against Genoa; you have to believe in destiny. Gilardino would send me the occasional WhatsApp message: ‘So?’

“My head told me I could accept, but my heart said no. Then the roles would be reversed,” Totti admitted.

“My thoughts would hold me back while my heart would start running. In the end, I always came to the same conclusion, asking myself one question: ‘Can you really play for a team that isn’t Roma?’

“I was 48, but age can somehow be overcome. You become slower, but your foot doesn’t grow old. Everyone agrees: it doesn’t need Botox.”

Football Italia was in the stands at the Stadio Franchi earlier this month, when Totti returned to action for a match to celebrate Fiorentina’s anniversary. You can watch the full video below.

“Roma was the key. Not the problem, and it will never be. A sporting betrayal has no age limit, whether you are 18 or 48,” Totti concluded.

Totti scored nine goals in 58 appearances with the Italy national team, winning the World Cup in 2006 and reaching the European Championship Final six years earlier.

He also won the U21 European Championship with the Azzurrini in 1996.