'It would have been messy' - Roma legend Francesco Totti reveals he almost came out of retirement at the age of 48 after holding talks with a Serie A club over shock January deal

Roma legend and one-club man Francesco Totti brought curtains down on his illustrious playing career at the end of the 2016-17 season, retiring just a few months before he would turn 41. However, he revealed that coming out of retirement at the age of 48 would have been an arduous task for him.

Back in October 2024, the former Italy international hinted at a comeback to professional football, stating that he was in contact with a few Serie A clubs that he chose not to name.

"Some Serie A teams have contacted me. I admit that they made me think a little, a little crazy. It would be difficult, but in life, you never say never," Totti told reporters at an event.

"There are players who have played many years after the end of their career. It also depends on where you play, with all due respect, but if I were to return to Serie A I would have to train really well."

However, the 48-year-old, in fact, did not come out of retirement, stating that it wouldn't have been an easy task for him at his age.

“There was a chance [of returning to playing football],” Totti told Viva El Futbol (h/t Football Italia).

“It [the team] was in Italy, in Serie A. I was really feeling great, I swear. I trained every day, two hours a day. I was in top shape, in terms of stamina and in every other aspect.

It didn’t go through because I would have had to change too many things—it would have been messy. I would have had to move to a different city. I was supposed to live near [Antonio] Cassano, can you imagine?”

After enduring a difficult start to the 2024-25 season, which saw them part ways with managers Daniele De Rossi and Ivan Juric within the space of three months, things have started to look brighter for Il Giallorossi under Claudio Ranieri. They currently stand in eighth place in the Serie A standings and will take on Athletic Bilbao in the Round of 16 of the Europa League.