Francesco Totti hints at coming out of retirement at the age of 48 after receiving offers from Serie A clubs

Francesco Totti claims to have been contacted by a number of Serie A clubs as he discussed the possibility of coming out of retirement.

The 48-year-old, who last played professionally in 2017, when he made his 786th and final appearance for boyhood club AS Roma, is open to the idea of playing again.

In fact, at an event organised by Betsson on Monday, Totti is believed to have spoken in a 'serious tone' about the possibility of coming out of retirement.

"There were Serie A teams that called me," he said regarding a possible return, as quoted by Gazzetta dello Sport.

"I admit that they made me think a little, a little crazy. It would be difficult, but in life you never say never. There are players who have played many years after the end of their career."

He added: "It also depends on where you play, with all due respect, but if I were to return to Serie A I would have to train really well."

According to Gazzetta, Totti recently said: "Given the current level of Serie A, I could easily make an impact on the field."

The former Italy international, who still plays for his own team, Totti Sporting Club, says it would only take him two or three months to be ready for Serie A.

However, he has played down the prospect of playing for Roma's biggest rivals.

"Lazio? I wouldn't have even considered it," Totti added. "I'd be ready in two to three months. I'm still playing at 48. Half an hour, twenty minutes. If I had to do something crazy, I'd do it in Italy, not abroad, but it's crazy."

Totti added: "When you turn the page you never know what awaits you. It wasn't my choice, but in that moment it has to be experienced differently from the context.

"Maybe that's also why I've had that thing inside me. It's true that there's a beginning and an end to everything.

Totti at the 2023 'world super-footballer games' between American Star Team and European Star Team at Wuhan Sports Center on November 26, 2023. Image credit: Getty

It didn't stop there. He also hinted at a missing figure in Serie A, saying: "A 10 in Italy? There isn't one, he could come back."

Totti is widely regarded as one of Italy's greatest strikers. He notched 307 goals and 206 assists in 786 games for Roma, which ranks him third in the all-time list for Serie A appearances. Only Gianluigi Buffon and Paolo Maldini made more.