Francesco Totti is one of those few players who spent his entire career at one club but according to AS Roma’s official website Totti’s career at the Italian side almost ended before it even began.
Totti spent a staggering 28 years at Roma with 25 of those being in the first team but if it wasn’t for a friendly tournament Totti may have spent his career at Sampdoria.
The now Rome legend would go on to break every club record the club had to offer in terms of goals, appearances and time spent at the club.
During his near three decade spell at Roma Totti made a total of 786 appearances scoring 307 goals but were it not for his performances at the invitational Torneo città di Roma (‘City of Rome Tournament’) on February 9th 1997 none of it would have happened.
Before the tournament began Totti was on the verge of a transfer to Sampdoria but his performances were so good the Giallorossi decided to keep him.
What a decision that turned out to be and as we all know Totti would go on to be Roma’s No.10 and enjoy a wonderful career at the club erring him legendary status not just in Rome but in world football.