FRANCESCO TOTTI
Who’s this young guy
? Should asked a lot of people who only discovered him during the Euro 2000. But "il
romano" is one of the biggest stars of the Campionato. He’s the impressive
talent of his team, AS Roma, since 1992-93 season. But of course he has started his
carrier much earlier.
He was 5 years old when stared to play in the Fortitudo team, the nearest one to his home. Then came some other small teams: Smit Trastevere, Eur, Lodigiani. He was 12 years old when he became the player of the AS Roma’s youth team. It was a successful period in Totti’s life, he won "Coppa Italia Primavera" with the team. He was also a member of the National Team of his age.
He was only 16 when he
was invited to the first team of AS Roma. So he had to choose if he should be a
professional player or the soccer remains only his hobby.
He made a good decision. But with the resolution he also had to give up something important: his youthfulness.
"I’ve grown up quickly. I’m
always trying to keep the things in balance, but I can’t deny that my life is
different from the young in my age. The soccer is my biggest passion and it has given me
lots of satisfaction, but for example I couldn’t go to ride a scooter or do such
things, which are typical for the kids."
But apart from this he finished the grammar school, so he also can work as an accountant. You never know.
His family always believed in him : "They have made numerous sacrifices for me to become what I’m now. Some of these things were small: taking me to the field, washing my jersey and shorts. But above these they taught me to the seriousness, the honesty and the humility. And they are standing by me also now, in the hard moments."
For famous people is hard to find real friends, it’s the same in case of Francesco.
"There are some who want to be Francesco’s friends, my heart is always open for them. But I can’t stand those who are looking for me just to became Totti’s friends."
Soccer, family, friendship. Is there any important thing in the life of an Italian? Yes, it’s God. Totti is a real Catholic. He believes in God, and it’s not only the surface. It’s necessary to live.
"The Lord gave me a lot, I try to use these
received gifts on the best way possible. But I also know that I must thank to him someway.
When I look around I can see numerous young people like me, but they have no job, they are
alone and often desperate. In such a case I try to do something for those who are in need
of help.
My job is well-paid, but I do it for the game, the soccer is everything for me, my biggest passion forever. The money is important, but if I must help somebody, I do not hesitate, I do it immediately."
Maybe he seems aggressive on the matches, but he’s simply excellent as for his ball control.
Maybe he seems a little bit insolent and conceited from
the interviews. ("When I want to pick up a girl in a disco I never say: "Hi,
I’m Francesco." But: "Hi, I’m Totti."")
Maybe...
No, there’s no maybe. It’s sure that he’s one of the greatest young forwards of the present calcio.
VAI TOTTINHO !!!
