Francesco Totti has officially pulled on the Roma shirt for the final time.
Three days ago, the 40-year old confirmed that the game against Genoa at the Stadio Olimpico would be his last, and as expected it was an emotional affair the Giallorossi faithful.
Going into the game, Totti was subject to a whole host of tributes from the football world, and both Roma and today's opponents Genoa commemorated the occasion with special shirts.
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As noted by the official AS Roma website, the shirts featured a 'Totti 10' logo on the sleeves, as well as special message.
It contained the quote, "Una squadra per la vita" - which translates to, "one team for a lifetime".
Genoa, did their bit as they also wore a special Totti-themed shirt that contained a message on both the front and back.
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Image: @GenoaCFC
"Genoa CFC salute Francesco Totti" is the message on the front, while the message continues in the rear by reading:
"25 seasons with a single shirt, 786 appearances, 307 goals, World Champion in 2006. Francesco Totti in football history."
Totti started the game on the the bench, as Luciano Spalletti opted to go against sentiment with Roma in need of a win to pip Napoli to automatic qualification in next year's Champions League.
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But he was given quite the ovation when he came out before the game, as shown in the following clip:
Credit: AS Roma
With the game poised at 1-1, following a third minute opener from Pietro Pellegri, the youngest ever goalscorer in Serie A history, and a reply from Edin Dzeko in the first half, Totti entered the fray in the 53rd minute.
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'Il Capitano' was handed the captain's armband by fellow one-club man Daniele De Rossi as he came onto the Stadio Olimpico pitch for the final time. As expected, every touch from the Roma legend was wildly cheered by those in attendance.
Totti was about to pull the trigger and complete the ultimate fairytale ending when Edin Dzeko got in behind and delivered an incisive cut-back in the 73rd minute, but De Rossi was first to the ball and slammed home emphatically with his left foot to send Roma fans into rapturous cheers.
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However, the script was ripped up when mere minutes later Genoa's Darko Lazovic popped up with a header to equalise and make it 2-2.
Roma did get their all-important goal to seal Champions League qualification, as Diego Perotti, another substitute, got on the end of an Edin Dzeko knockdown to fire the ball into the far corner in the 90th minute.
But, let's finish on Totti, who is absolutely everything to Roma.
Il Gladiatore' has spent 25 years with the 'Giallorossi' first team, making his debut as a 16-year-old and remaining with the club for his entire career, becoming the club's most beloved player and captain.
In 2001 Totti became only the third man to captain Roma to a Serie A title and five years later, was part of the Italian national team that conquered the world at the 2006 World Cup in Germany.
Of course, more trophies and accolades could have come Totti's way had he taken up offers from Real Madrid or AC Milan who were both desperate to lure him away from the Italian capital.
Image: PA
The 40-year-old decided that he could never abandon his people in Rome though and, instead of lifting Champions Leagues and league titles with other clubs, whether they be in Italy or abroad, he became a God at the Stadio Olimpico. A big, gorgeous, golazo scoring, Lazio hating God.
Known by some as Il Bimbo d'Oro or 'The Golden Boy' Totti has made 786 appearances for Roma, scoring 307 goals in the process.
What a player, what a man. He will be greatly missed not only in Rome, but across the world.
Featured Image Credit: PA
