Player Profile - Francesco Totti
Francesco Totti is without doubt one of Italy's most high-profile players, with the Roma superstar possessing incredible talent.
"Without him Italy will be weaker because Totti is one of those players who can make a difference, for Italy, and for Roma too."
Pele.
Totti is Roma through and through. He joined his home-town club as a trainee and made his name as a 16-year-old on his debut against Brescia.
Since making his debut, the talented forward has made over 300 appearances for his much-loved club, scoring an impressive 125 goals along the way.
It is now highly unlikely that Francesco 'Roma' Totti will ever move on from his only club. Despite constant links with huge European clubs such as Real Madrid, Totti has remained loyal to Roma and this has cemented his legacy as a modern day hero in the Italian capital.
Totti was a member of the Italian Under-21 side who became European champions in 1996.
He made his full international debut on September 10, 1998 in a Euro 2000 qualifier against Switzerland.
To this date Totti has won 49 caps for Italy, however he has only scored a disappointing eight international goals.
However, it is often Totti's on the field attitude that overshadows his performances in the blue of his country.
In 2002 he was sent off in Italy's embarrassing World Cup exit to co-hosts South Korea.
However it was in Euro 2004 that the hot-headed forward grabbed the headlines for all the wrong reasons.
In Italy's opening game of the tournament against Denmark, Totti was sent off for spitting at an opponent. The subsequent three-match ban meant that the forward did not play again in the tournament as Italy were knocked out in the first round.
This summer's World Cup finals represent Totti's opportunity to finally show the planet exactly what the Italian genius can do, as he hopes to carry Italy all the way to the final.
The question mark hanging over Totti concerns his fitness. He broke an ankle in February and only returned to action late in the Serie A season.
Totti and coach Marcello Lippi are convinced he will be fit to start and should he hit top form, Italy could surprise this summer.
