HAPPY HAPPY
Memory is selective. And who knows in what way Totti will appear before the descendants of commercials in 30-40 years. However, it is obvious that his name will be associated with “Roma.” And certainly in the positive context.
Cesco achieved the status of a world star, figuratively speaking, without leaving home. The years of his speeches are among the best pages of the biography of “Jallorossi.” Although you can’t say that Totti came to the ready. In the early 90s, the Romans hung in the middle peat, but as their leader grew, he added Roma.
Fans love such patriotic players immensely, and the good half of Rome simply adores the captain of the “wolves”. He makes people happy, and this is almost the main duty of a public person. Fans of the rest of the clubs are jealous and hope that someday in their cities there will be such a loyal homeland that will lead their team to the heights. Unlike football players, fans rarely change their preferences ...
The contradictory nature of Totti, often several times in the course of a match changing appearance (from a decisive leader to a crybaby), is combined with a laudable rejection of cheap popularity. Pupone (“Pupone” - a baby in Italian), as Cesco is sometimes called, emits all emotions on the field and, unlike other stars, is inconspicuous in secular scandalous chronicles.
The captain and soul of the "Roma", like a child who was handed the marshal's baton, but forgot to explain how to use it. Phenomenal masterpieces are sometimes interspersed with outright frivolity. However, Rome forgives everything, and this is easy to explain: Totti is an animated model of the Eternal City with all its gamut of feelings and emotions.
FAMILY MAN
All who find themselves in the capital's squad fall under the influence of Francesco. It is he who charges partners with Roman patriotism, thanks to which the "jallorossi" appear as one big family. They do not break after failures, quickly rise from their knees and firmly move on.
Here are examples from the latter. At the end of 2005, the Romans trampled Juventus in their native Olimpico - 1: 4. Three months later, the “wolves” saluted a record-breaking 11-match winning streak at the time in the Italian League. This season there were slaps in the face of Lazio (0: 3) and Manchester United (1: 7) - and again, Roma persistently bore the hardships. No showdowns and conflicts. A confident performance in Serie A plus an honorary guest Victoria over the seemingly indestructible Inter.
Never in his career Totti did not even consider the possibility of moving to another team. And there were difficult times. So, in the 2004/05 championship, the “yellow-red” until the final round could not guarantee the safety of residence in the elite. But Cesco, as befits a captain, remained on the ship until the last. He just lives in his own house, which he does not intend to change, experiencing ups and downs with his family. Pupone, by the way, gets angry when one of the strong performers leaves this family. For example, he quarreled with the Brazilian Emerson. And with Antonio Cassano entered into an open confrontation.
NOT ONE ROMAN EVENING
Another plane of Totti's talent is hidden in an enviable professionalism. The beginning of 2006 was overshadowed by an injury - a broken leg. Then there was the World Cup, a short vacation and a new season. Most of the participants in the planetary forum spend it rather faded. But take a look at Totti! Having scored 21 goals, he leads the Serie A sniper race. Along the way, Cesco blocked his 2004 achievement.
Sharing experience with beginners, the captain of Roma advises: “You do not like fundamental exercises and think that your coach is a bore? In vain. You will understand later that all this is useful. Even being an extraordinary talent, progress is possible only with daily work. ”
Today Totti refuses invitations to the Squadra Azzurra and explains the reason: “During the World Cup, I felt that I could show the maximum. At least, only recovering from a leg fracture, tuned in to play at the limit of possibilities. It occurred to me that the German championship is likely to be the last for me. Always sought to give the team all of himself. The penalty I scored in a match with Australia was the key - after all, the first goal after that unfortunate injury. Probably, just then the team realized that it was able to win the title. And then ... I explained my decision to the coach and the leadership of the team. My conscience is clear. You see, to enter the field with a metal plate and 11 bolts in the leg is not at all easy. In modern football, matches usually take place in three to four days, and you need to rest at least sometimes. I need to give up something. Naturally, I can’t leave Roma, which is always in the first place for me. And I chose Squadra Azzurra. But in any case, I still consider it a great honor to wear a T-shirt of the national team. ”
Totti set himself a pretty high bar, and they always expect almost perfection from him. However, alas, he is not a wizard. After a slap in the face, like the Manchester, there are always complaints against the captain. At the same time, it is often forgotten that he is only 1 out of 11, and besides him there is also a coach.
In the future, Francesco plans to enter the headquarters of Roma, but before that - to win the Champions League with her. He is already looking forward to the 2009 finals to be held in Rome. Totti is categorical: “This is a sign from above, our chance to avenge Liverpool for the defeat in 1984. I remember a boy watching that match at Olimpico, where Roma lost in the penalty shootout. After 25 years, the final will again be held in the capital of Italy. And I will do my best for us to go into it. In the decisive match, I dream of taking a double. ”
Let him succeed ...
Denis ORLOV