Today marks a historic day in football as Francesco Totti made his Roma debut against Brescia on March 28, 1993. Over the following 24 years, Totti has appeared in 612 league games and scored 250 goals.
He’ll forever be remembered for leading Roma to their first Serie A title since 1982-83 in 2001, and the now 40-year-old is still going strong with two league goals from 11 matches this campaign.
However, these totals represent the lowest of Totti’s career and it remains unclear whether he’ll be given another one-year contract extension. The uncertainty surrounding his playing career points to the worst — Totti, being the captain that he is, probably wants to focus all attention on Roma finishing the year as strongly as possible rather than turning it into his farewell tour.
But the 2006 FIFA World Cup winner and two-time Coppa Italia winner will be revered around the globe for his career regardless of how he’s ultimately sent off.
Having made his debut as a 16-year-old in 1993, there are some pretty silly facts floating around regarding his longevity.
24 - 24 years ago today, Totti played his 1st Serie A game (v Brescia). He has played 612 games & scored 250 in the competition. Capitano. pic.twitter.com/3yUTQXCSpy
— OptaJean (@OptaJean) March 28, 2017
Netherlands vs Italy: Today is the 24th anniversary of Francesco Totti's Serie A debut -- 8 of Italy's current squad were born in that time pic.twitter.com/RkOIX2A8x6
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) March 28, 2017
32% - 32% of players who've played in Serie A this season (168/529) weren't born when #Totti made his Serie A debut 24 years ago. Generation pic.twitter.com/ibpmfu3SS1
— OptaPaolo (@OptaPaolo) March 28, 2017
It would be nice to see Totti mirror Japan’s Kazuyoshi Miura and play until he’s 50, as well as get recalled to the Italian national team for the 2018 World Cup, but it just doesn’t look like that’s going to happen. Life is cruel as s**t.