Today, Totti's new biography titled "Oltre" was officially released. In an excerpt published to promote his new book, Totti discusses the controversial events at the end of his career, particularly his relationship with former coach Spalletti, detailing everything from their split at the end of his playing career to their recent reconciliation.

Below is an excerpt from the new book:

The Split

The perfect conditions for reconciliation between me and Spalletti are forming day by day. You could say we've taken a path that goes beyond silence. I won't repeat how we fell out; even Martians know that story. What happened after is far more interesting.

From May 28, 2017, the day I was forced to retire, more than six years passed without us seeing or speaking to each other. Neither of us felt the need for the other; we went our separate ways.

In November 2023, the situation began to change. Vito Scala called—my longtime personal fitness trainer who had always been by my side.

«Fra (my nickname), you know? On the 17th, Italy is playing North Macedonia in Rome».

«Okay, so?»

«The national team delegation is planning to visit the Bambino Gesù children's hospital».

«Oh, that children's hospital. I sometimes quietly go there to see the children without telling anyone».

«That's good».

«So, Fra, you should go too».

«Why, Vito?»

«Because it would be a perfect moment. There will be FIGC president Gabriele Gravina, there will be your friend Gianluigi Buffon, there will be Giovanni Di Lorenzo, there will be Angelo Peruzzi. And...»

«And who else?»

«And the national team coach». That is, Spalletti.

«No». I really didn't want to go. «Fra, think it over again...»

Cover of Totti's new book

Bambino Gesù Hospital

After careful thought, I realized that while it's normal to be selfish, to protect yourself and hide your wounds, it shouldn't come at the expense of others' suffering.

«Vito, okay». I closed one eye and listened to my heart. You're trying to move past the past for a noble reason. So I accepted the invitation; it was bound to happen sooner or later anyway. The football world is small; either you greet it or you really attack it.

That day I arrived before him, on my scooter. When I entered the lobby, amid the chaos, Vito suddenly became serious: «They're here».

I was wearing a leather jacket; he was in a dark suit. President Gravina was quite a skilled operator: «This is Spalletti...» He chose his words carefully, trying to ease the tension: «A heartfelt embrace? A heartfelt one, come on...» A quick handshake. An embrace.

It was just a fleeting gesture, nothing more. I felt nothing; it wasn't love, not a hint of emotion, not a single shiver.

I saw him again later at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome on May 14, 2024, after Bologna defeated Milan in the Coppa Italia final.

«How are you?»

«All good, you?»

«Good, thanks».

«Goodbye».

«Goodbye».

Everything was as always, without warmth. Then we parted ways.

Until Damiano Biondi came to me with a proposal.

Amaro

«They want you to appear in an advertisement for Amaro Montenegro (Italian liqueur)».

«Sounds good».

«Great. Then they told me it would be particularly good if you filmed it with...»

«With who?»

«With Spalletti...»

«Wait, this must be interference. With who?»

«With Spalletti...»

«No, I really like you, but I really can't do this. If I saw him, I'd greet him out of respect and courtesy, but honestly, I still can't».

Honestly, deep down something still bothered me. It gnawed at me for a whole month. At first I wasn't completely sure, but eventually I gave in.

The filming location was chosen in an area near Rome that everyone called «I Ponti». I arrived early on my motorcycle. Each of us had our own trailer for changing and makeup. I stepped out of my trailer and headed toward Spalletti's. I knocked on the door.

«Open up, what are you afraid of?» When he came down, we embraced, and this time it felt slightly more genuine than at Bambino Gesù hospital.

«Francesco, are you happy filming this commercial with me?»

«I couldn't wait. Anyway, you should thank me, coach. If I had said no, they wouldn't have even approached you».

During filming, an elderly woman leaned out from a balcony and shouted at Spalletti: «Hey, don't touch the captain, he's one of us. Be careful. We won't forget».

This exchange was brilliant. «Coach, you really need to be careful. If you upset me here, things won't go well for you».

Tuscany

We worked together for two days, and it was very productive. We both relaxed and laughed, with that genuine laughter that comes from the heart, not forced. I had a really good time. Honestly, after filming I felt much lighter.

In the summer of 2026, we filmed a second commercial, spending three days at Spalletti's estate in Tuscany. One evening we were sitting at a table with others. I spoke first, addressing everyone: «As a coach, he's one of the best, but he didn't treat me very well...»

«No, Francesco, that's all your fault. You wanted to harm me and force me out of Roma».

«Coach, what are you talking about? You did it all yourself». We couldn't finish this conversation either, but the atmosphere was noticeably friendlier.

As we film more and more commercials, we gradually let go of these grievances. We've begun an intensive process of reconciliation. Once we tell the whole truth, if it is the truth, I'll completely let it all go, and we can return to how things were. After truth, we'll drink to our relationship.

Amaro and Spalletti, authentic taste.

Переведено ИИ.

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