Francesco Totti’s been one of the world’s best players for nearly two decades running and the evergreen Italian hits the big 4-0 today. Here are 10 of his greatest moments. Photo: Luciano Rossi
The celebration
He breaks it out every time he scores. Totti was nicknamed ‘Er Pupone’ (The Big Baby) by Italian journalist Domenico Ferretti when he was just a kid, and he’s adopted the thumb-sucking celebration as part of embracing it. Anytime you see this, it means the legend has hit the back of the net. Photo: GIUSEPPE CACACE
Totti’s been in every single EA Sports FIFA
Francesco Totti made his debut on March 28th, 1993, months before the first edition of FIFA soccer was released. He’s the only player in the game to have been featured every single year since its inception. Photo: Shaun Botterill
Totti scores a ‘cucchiaio’ against The Netherlands
Italy may have lost Euro 2000 to France, but Totti’s chipped ‘cucchiaio’ penalty against Edwin Van Der Sar went down as one of the cheekiest – and coolest – moments in footballing history. Photo: Henri Szwarc
Totti wins his first (and only) Scudetto
On the 17th of June, 2001 Francesco Totti scored the opening goal for Roma as they beat Parma 3-1 on the day. His goal helped clinch his first (and only) Scudetto, Roma’s first since 1983, and just their third overall in history. Photo: Grazia Neri
Totti’s incredible chip against Inter Milan
It’s one of his greatest ever. Totti rode a challenge, skipped past a couple more Inter defenders, then lifted the most delicate of chips over Italy teammate Francesco Toldo’s head. Perfection. Photo: FILIPPO MONTEFORTE
Totti’s match-winning penalty against Australia
Italy won the World Cup in 2006, but they never would’ve made it that far if not for Totti’s last-gasp penalty against Australia in the quarter-finals. Fabio Grosso earned the foul, and Totti stroked it home to send the Italians on the way. Photo: Robert Cianflone
Totti wins his first ever World Cup
Look at the love. Totti’s Round of 16 penalty helped Italy progress, and they eventually ended up winners in the infamous match that saw Zinedine Zidane sent off for a head-butt. Photo: ROBERTO SCHMIDT
The iPhone Selfie
The Roma-Lazio Derby is one of world football’s most serious rivalries. Totti scored his 40th goal of the matchup in 2015, and celebrated by taking a selfie with thousands of his adoring fans in the background.Photo: VI-Images
Totti becomes the oldest man to score in Champions League
On November 25, 2014, Totti scored a superb free kick goal as Roma drew 1-1 against CSKA Moscow. The significance? He became the oldest man to score a free kick in Champions League, and the oldest period to EVER score in the tournament, breaking his own record. Photo: KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV
Still a legend
Totti’s played in 25 Serie A seasons and he’s scored in all but two of them. He kept the streak going this season, netting a penalty off the bench against Sampdoria to ensure his incredible goalscoring record is intact. Photo: Luciano Rossi