FIFA World Cup™ Germany 2006 player's profile

Francesco Totti made his Serie A debut on 28 March 1993 for Roma, his hometown club and the one he joined as a young boy. Few were left in any doubt as to the potential on show. Even at the age of 16, Totti’s touch and vision were breathtaking.
In the early part of his career, Totti was shrewdly kept from the limelight by his mentors, the wily old coaches Vujadin Boskov and Carlo Mazzone, who both managed Roma during Totti’s formative years. The risk of burn-out was great for one with so much talent. Francesco was a key component of the Roma and Italy youth teams as he learned his trade in professional football. He was a member of the Azzurri team that won the 1996 UEFA European U-21 Championship in Barcelona.

Despite uneasy relationships with both his next two managers, the Czech Zdenek Zeman, who used Totti in a wide-attacking role as part of a rigid 4-3-3 formation, and Fabio Capello, one of the most successful Italian managers of all time, Francesco was well on the way to glory. He refined his attacking talent under Zeman and radically improved his tactical discipline under Capello. With the latter at the helm and Totti as captain, Roma won the Serie A title in 2001, their first for 18 years and only the third in their history.

Totti, already adored by the Roma fans, now became a one of Italy’s most famous faces, featuring in sports and general publications alike. His kudos was further enhanced by a declaration of eternal love for the only club he has ever played for, turning down overtures from the wealthy northern Italian clubs in the process. He might have won more silverware at another club, but has decided to forego this in favour of footballing immortality in Rome.

Ankle worry
As far as international football is concerned, Francesco Totti has so far failed to live up to expectations with Italy. The FIFA World Cup Germany 2006™ is the tournament in which Totti, a footballer in his prime, has the best opportunity to shine. Unfortunately, this has been thrown into doubt by the broken ankle he suffered in February. His best moment with Italy came at UEFA Euro 2000 when Totti helped the Azzurri reach the final.

The last two international tournaments have both been personal disasters for Totti. He was sent off against Korea Republic in the second round of Korea/Japan 2002 as Italy crashed out against the co-hosts, and he was suspended for a total of four matches after the Italy-Denmark game at UEFA Euro 2004 in Portugal following a disreputable spitting incident.

Totti’s best position is in the hole just behind the two strikers, where his vision, passing and trickery are most effective. His shooting is excellent and his body strength also allows him to mix it with the toughest of defenders. Forthcoming opponents of Italy conceding free kicks around the penalty area do so at their peril.

If there is one trademark piece of skill that best sums up Totti, it is the chipped shot, with the Italian maestro able to subtly vary the flight of the ball at will. Just ask Edwin Van der Sar who was on the receiving end of a cheekily-chipped penalty kick during Italy’s semi-final clash with the Netherlands at Euro 2000, with the Azzurri winning the decisive shootout 3-1 to take their place in the final.

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UEFA Champions League 2004-05 player's profile

A maker as well as a scorer of goals - not least from free-kicks - Francesco Totti can operate from a variety of attacking positions but it is in the free role behind the strikers that his magnificent skill and technique are best showcased.

National team
Hugely talented as a teenager, Totti scored in Italy's 4-1 defeat by Spain in the final of the UEFA European Under-18 Championship in July 1995. Italy exacted revenge the following year in the final of the Under-21 competition, Totti opening the scoring in a 1-1 draw against the Spanish before triumphing on penalties. He made his senior Azzurri debut in the UEFA EURO 2000™ qualifying victory against Switzerland and was imperious in the finals tournament, scoring against Romania and Belgium and starring in the final loss to France. More disappointment followed at the 2002 FIFA World Cup, with the forward failing to register and then being sent off as Italy fell to the Korean Republic in the second round. Injury restricted his UEFA EURO 2004™ qualifying appreances, and his finals ended in disgrace as he gained a three-game ban for spitting against Denmark.

Club
An AS Roma fan as a boy, Totti was just 16 when he made his first appearance in a 2-0 away victory at Brescia Calcio in March 1993. Four goals in 21 outings in 1994/95 marked his arrival as a Roma regular, and over the ensuing seasons, Totti won over the Giallorossi faithful with a series of electric displays. Italy's Player of the Year in 2000, he lived up to his reputation the following term when he helped AS Roma secure their first league title since 1983, scoring 13 Serie A goals. Another unhappy ending befell Totti in the 2001/02 campaign as Roma finished runners-up to Juventus FC, although he bounced back with a personal-best return of 14 goals during the next season.

2003/04: Playing in a more advanced role, Totti hit a career-high 20 goals as Roma finished second in Serie A.

Did you know?
A goodwill ambassador for UNICEF, Totti allowed a book to be published containing jokes made at his expense to raise money for the children's charity.

©uefa.com 1998-2005. All rights reserved.

UEFA EURO 2004™ player's profile

A maker as well as a scorer of goals - not least from free-kicks - Francesco Totti can operate from a variety of attacking positions but it is in the free role behind the strikers that his magnificent skill and technique are best showcased.

National team
Hugely talented as a teenager, Totti scored in Italy's 4-1 defeat by Spain in the final of the UEFA European Under-18 Championship in July 1995. Italy exacted revenge the following year in the final of the Under-21 competition, Totti opening the scoring in a 1-1 draw against the Spanish before triumphing on penalties. He made his senior Azzurri debut in the UEFA EURO 2000™ qualifying victory against Switzerland and was imperious in the finals tournament, scoring against Romania and Belgium and starring in the final loss to France. More disappointment followed at the 2002 FIFA World Cup, with the forward failing to register and then being sent off as Italy fell to the Korean Republic in the second round. Injury restricted his UEFA EURO 2004™ qualifying appreances, and his finals ended in disgrace as he gained a three-game ban for spitting against Denmark.

Club
An AS Roma fan as a boy, Totti was just 16 when he made his first appearance in a 2-0 away victory at Brescia Calcio in March 1993. Four goals in 21 outings in 1994/95 marked his arrival as a Roma regular, and over the ensuing seasons, Totti won over the Giallorossi faithful with a series of electric displays. Italy's Player of the Year in 2000, he lived up to his reputation the following term when he helped AS Roma secure their first league title since 1983, scoring 13 Serie A goals. Another unhappy ending befell Totti in the 2001/02 campaign as Roma finished runners-up to Juventus FC, although he bounced back with a personal-best return of 14 goals during the next season.

2003/04: Playing in a more advanced role, Totti hit a career-high 20 goals as Roma finished second in Serie A.

Did you know?
A goodwill ambassador for UNICEF, Totti allowed a book to be published containing jokes made at his expense to raise money for the children's charity.

©uefa.com 1998-2006. All rights reserved.

BBC's UEFA EURO 2004 player's profile

A playmaker who skilfully links midfield and attack, Francesco Totti is the natural successor to former Italy legend Roberto Baggio.

Totti made his Roma debut as a 16-year-old and by 1995 had established himself as a first-team regular at the Stadio Olimpico.

Despite the pressure of replacing Baggio at international level, Totti had a successful Euro 2000 campaign, scoring in wins against Romania and Belgium.

The following year he inspired Roma to their first league title since 1983, netting 13 times.

But Totti's 2002 World Cup campaign ended sourly with a red card in the second round defeat to co-hosts South Korea.

Italy coach Giovanni Trapattoni has built his team for Euro 2004 around Totti's creative talents and the Roma star's three-match ban for spitting is a serious blow to the Azzurri.

©bbc.co.uk 2004. All rights reserved.