Totti bids a tearful Roma farewell

Francesco Totti, who is more than a player to Roma, has signed off his illustrious 24-year career with the club in tears.

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

There was drama but Totti was not the protagonist. In a game where Pietro Pellegri, a 16-year-old not even born when Totti made his debut, opened the scoring Edin Dzeko equalised before half-time.

The oldest scorer in #UCL history, Francesco @Totti comes on for his 786th and final Roma appearance. Grazie Totti! 👏👏👏#Totti #TottiDay pic.twitter.com/Cnbusngjt5

— Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) May 28, 2017

Daniele De Rossi thought he'd got the winner in the 74th minute but Darko Lazovic levelled soon after.

Diego Perotti ensured the Roma fans could say farewell to their icon with a Champions League group stage place secure when he struck in the game's final minute.

After the final whistle there were tears from the 40-year-old as he waved goodbye to 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.

Francesco #Totti:

🕰Years: 25

👤Games: 785

?Goals: 307

🎯Assists: 123

🏆Trophies: 5

🇮🇹Clubs: 1

End of an era 👑😢 @OfficialASRoma #Roma pic.twitter.com/FcIzZ1Hl25

— Serie A Sitdown (@SerieASitdown) May 28, 2017

He was presented with a framed shirt whilst fans held up cards bearing his name and famous number.

A closer look at the special gift presented to Francesco Totti after his final Roma game.#ThanksTotti #TottiDay #ASRoma #Totti pic.twitter.com/r5jEScB0Sk

— AS Roma English (@ASRomaEN) May 28, 2017

He then took the microphone to say what proved an emotional farewell to the club's supporters, during which he shared his early memories, his immense pride and thoughts on the future.

Daily Mail quoted him saying, 'Over the past few months, I’ve asked myself why I’m being awoken from this dream.

'Imagine you’re a child having a good dream… and your mother wakes you up to go to school. You want to keep dreaming… you try to slip back into the dream but you never can. This time, it’s not a dream, but reality and I can no longer slip back in.

So emotional 💔 #Totti pic.twitter.com/yiPlBIQQ4n

— Alex McGovern (@amcgovern25) May 28, 2017

'I want to dedicate this letter to all of you – to all the children that have supported me. To the children of yesterday, who have grown up and become parents and to the children of today, who perhaps shout ‘Tottigol’. I’d like to think that for you, my career has become a fairytale for you to pass on.

'It’s really over now. I’m taking off that jersey for the final time.'

What the future holds for Totti is still unclear. He has not officially confirmed his retirement, only confirmed that the Genoa game will be his last for Roma.

The start of an emotional farewell... #TottiDay #ThanksTotti #Totti #ASRoma pic.twitter.com/TzVmOK2HpR

— AS Roma English (@ASRomaEN) May 28, 2017