Retiring Roma legend Francesco Totti: 'I'm not ready to say it's over'

Roma legend Francesco Totti admitted he was "afraid" of what comes next as he bid a warm farewell to the only club of his career on Sunday.

Totti, 40, played his final match for Roma, for whom he debuted as a 16-year-old in 1993, coming on as a substitute in the 54th minute of the Giallorossi's 3-2 Champions League-clinching victory over Genoa at the Stadio Olimpico.

The Roma captain led his side to a Serie A title, two Coppa Italia crowns and two Italian Super Cups over his record 786 matches for the club in which he scored 307 goals. However, during a heartfelt send-off by the club and their fans on Sunday, the former Italy international confessed he's not ready to accept his career is over.

"We're here, the moment has arrived. Unfortunately, the moment has arrived that I hoped would never come," Totti told the crowd in his postmatch speech.

"Over the last few days, so much has been said about me, such wonderful things. You were behind me, pushing me on during difficult moments, and that's why I want to say thank you to everyone.

I cried on my own, like crazy! You can't just forget 25 years like this. I thank everyone, even if this is not easy for me. I spoke to my wife about what these years have been like.

"I thank my mother and father, my brother, family and friends. Thank you to my wife and three children. I wanted to start from this, because I wasn't sure if I'd be able to get to the end of it."

Totti, who joined the club academy as a boy, recounted the past 28 years as a member of Roma. But admitted it was now time to "grow up."

"It is impossible to explain 28 years in a few phrases. I'd love to do it with a song or a poem, but I'm no good at those. I tried to express myself through my feet, because everything seems easier that way.

"Speaking of which, do you know my favourite toy when I was young? The football! And it still is. But at a certain point, you have to grow up. That's what they told me, that time had made its decision.

Now is the moment to thank my teammates, Coaches, directors, Presidents, all those who worked alongside me over the years. The fans, the Curva Sud, a reference point for us Romans and Romanisti.

"Being born Roman and Romanisti is a privilege. Being captain of this team was an honour. You are and always will be in my life. I might not be able to have fun with my feet any more, but my heart will always be with you.

"Now I walk down those stairs, enter the locker room that welcomed me when I was a child and I leave now that I am a man.

"I am happy and proud to have given 28 years of my love to Roma. I love you!"