Football has always been close to the heart of many. The passion it evokes from fans can be compared to only a limited number of other sports and human activities. There is a very sad story that happened just before the World Cup of 1970.

Roma favourite Francesco Totti has taken a vile dig at Barcelona after the Giallorossi managed to oust them from this season’s Champions League via the away-goal rule. The Catalan Giants were favourites to progress to the semi-final of the competition after taking a 4-1 advantage from the first-leg but they surprisingly failed to show up in the return game where they succumbed to a shock 3-0 away defeat.

Francesco Totti has backed Napoli to win the Serie A title while receiving his award for Exceptional Achievement at the 2018 Laureus World Sports Awards ceremony in Monaco. The 41-year-old became only the third recipient of the prize after United States swimmer Michael Phelps and Chinese tennis ace Li Na.

Belgium international Radja Nainggolan has revealed that he could sign a lifetime contract with AS Roma having snubbed interest from a number of elite clubs across the world. The hard-working midfielder has been the subject of interest from Chelsea, Manchester United, Manchester City as well as from China, but he is prepared to stick with the Giallorossi for the long-term.

Speaking to Sky Sport Italia, the 29-year-old stressed that he has no intention of leaving the Capital outfit despite the vast sums on offer in other parts of the world. The former Cagliari man added that he would be willing to sign a lifetime deal with the Giallorossi, and he may only leave the club, if he is deemed surplus to requirements.

AS Roma wideman Cengiz Under has spoken about his move to the club in the summer and also revealed the nerves he felt at being welcomed to Italian football by no less than the legend that is Francesco Totti.

The Turkish international arrived at the Stadio Olimpico in a £12million deal from Super Lig side Medipol Basaksehir after a string of eye-catching performances last season. He was a much-sought commodity by a host of clubs in Europe but chose the Italian capital.

Francesco Totti may have stepped down from his long playing days which saw him make more than 700 appearances for Roma.

At 40 years of age, he was not expected to carry on playing for much longer, but there has been widespread discontent that former manager Luciano Spalletti played a crucial role in his retirement. Regarded as a legend at Roma, fans were extremely sad to see him leave the pitch for the final time.

Luciano Spalletti claims that it would be wrong to blame him for the retirement of Francesco Totti.

The Roma legend finally called it a day when he retired at the age of 40 last season. He has become a director at the club.