Recent reports have stirred excitement in the Italian football world with suggestions that Francesco Totti, the legendary Roma captain, might be considering a return to Serie A at the age of 48. Totti himself fueled speculation by stating he was seriously contemplating offers from “one or two” teams, hinting at a possible comeback over seven years after his retirement.
La Repubblica reported that one of the clubs indirectly mentioned by Totti could be the newly promoted Como. The Hartono brothers, the club’s major shareholders, were said to be interested in making an investment that would combine sporting interests with commercial opportunities, an aspect they have always paid close attention to.
Calciomercato report how the potential signing of a global football icon like Totti would undoubtedly bring enormous publicity to Como and continue a trend of high-profile acquisitions by the club. In recent years, Como has attracted notable figures such as Thierry Henry and Cesc Fabregas as shareholders and ambassadors. Fabregas has since transitioned to become the first team’s coach after being part of the technical staff that guided Como back to Serie A after a 21-year absence.
Last summer, the Hartono brothers attempted another coup by signing former Real Madrid and Manchester United defender Raphael Varane. However, Varane’s stint was short-lived due to a knee injury, leading to his retirement from professional football and subsequent move into a club executive role.
The excitement surrounding Totti’s potential move to Como was short-lived, however. In an evening statement to La Provincia, Robert Hartono, one of the club’s owners, addressed the rumors directly: “We can be extreme, but not at that level…”
This denial from Como’s ownership seems to put an end to the speculation about Totti joining the club. While the idea of the Roma legend making a comeback remains intriguing, it appears that Como will not be the stage for such a dramatic return to Italian football.