According to Tuttosport, would Dybala wear Roma's number 10 jersey? This idea had a chance of happening when he joined Roma in the summer of 2022. In the end, Dybala chose number 21, and Francesco Totti never pressured him. Instead, the Roma legend remained open to the Argentine player taking over the number 10 and becoming his successor. He reaffirmed this in his latest autobiography, "Oltre."

"I didn't want that responsibility to fall on me."

"Dybala never wore that Roma number. Since they retired me, my beloved team's jersey has never been worn by anyone else. That wasn't my choice, but the fans' choice—they are the true guardians of this treasure."

"When Paulo arrived at Roma, the club sent me an indirect message. They wanted to give him number 10 and hoped I would hand over the jersey to him at his presentation," Totti explained. He responded firmly, "Are you all crazy? If you have the guts, just give him the jersey yourselves. This isn't about the player; on the contrary, I really like him, I like his character; he's a great man. If you're really planning to do it, just do it directly; don't involve me."

Totti became part of Roma's management shortly after retiring in 2017, but he left two years later due to disagreements with the club. The former Roma captain didn't want to be a source of pressure on Dybala's decision: "I didn't want responsibility for a choice that isn't mine, a decision that has nothing to do with me, to fall on my shoulders. Roma's number 10 carries great weight, and comparisons with me are inevitable. For me, as long as he performs well, Dybala can decide matches."

"I will never retire number 10, but..."

"I want to be very clear: I will never permanently retire Roma's number 10 jersey; that would rob children of a beautiful dream. Every day, I hope another Totti will emerge. Someone born in Rome, raised in Rome, and who chose Rome as their home for life," he said. "As for giving this jersey to someone from another part of the world who will only stay briefly and then leave, that's a completely different situation. This is too important, a number too symbolic; it should only go to someone who has at least the potential to play for Roma for fifteen to twenty years."

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