Toti: I rejected offers from Genoa and Como to return to Serie A at 48 years old

Francesco Totti, the legend of AS Roma, has revealed that he turned down offers from Genoa and Como to return to play in Serie A when he was 48 years old, confirming that his deep connection to the capital club was the main reason behind his decision.

Toti spoke about this incident in his new autobiography "After Retirement... One Retires and All Things Happen to Him, Then He Has to Tell Them Too", which he wrote in collaboration with Alessandro Aliciato, touching on the offers he received after retiring from football.

Toti said: "I said no to Serie A, I said no to Genoa, and I said no to Como. I was 48 years old." He explained that the officials from Genoa were the first to contact him, and Alberto Gilardino was coaching the team at that time, while Cesc Fàbregas was leading Como.

He added: "The officials from Genoa asked me a simple question: So, do you want to take on this new experience or not? They were really serious. I asked for some time to make my decision, and before I gave them my answer, I started working and training very hard."

Toti has indicated that he is seriously considering taking on the challenge, especially since the Genoa stadium has impressed him. He said: "I loved the Marassi stadium; it is a beautiful stadium with an English feel, and the fans are passionate and follow the matches closely, feeling their breaths behind your back. Moreover, my last match in a Roma shirt was against Genoa; look at what fate is doing."

He continued: "Gilarardino was sending me some messages and asking me: what have you decided? My head was saying that I could accept the offer, but my heart was refusing. Then the roles reversed, thoughts retreated and my heart raced, but the result was always the same, a question I ask myself: can I play for a team that is not AS Roma?".

Toti saw that age was not the real problem, explaining: "I was 48 years old, but age can be overcome in a way. You become slower, but the foot does not age, and everyone agrees on that; it does not need Botox."

The AS Roma legend concluded his remarks by affirming that the capital club represented the essence of his decision, stating: "Roma was the point. It was not the problem, and it will never be. Sports betrayal has no age, whether you are 18 years old or 48 years old."