Francesco Totti has left AS Roma after 30 years, claiming the promises he was given by the club’s owners were not kept.
Totti spent the last two seasons as technical director but will now depart the Roman club with a sense of bitterness.
In a bizarre press conference, the Italian legend took aim at the club for excluding him from strategic decisions.
“It was not my fault… Today is like dying. It would have been better to die,” Totti said.
“They knew my intentions and what I wanted, to give so much to this club and team, but they never wanted me to, in all honesty. They excluded me from every decision.
“They forced me to quit football as a player. They have made many promises, never fulfilled.”
Totti follows Daniele De Rossi who, after 19 years at the club as a player, will depart the Italian capital.
De Rossi’s contract was not renewed for the 2019/20 season, creating tension between the Roma faithful and president James Pallotta.
Totti will not be leaving the city entirely however, going on to say that he will be watching Roma games closely with his former teammate.
“De Rossi and I will go to the stadium next year, into the stands with the fans.”
