Totti overwhelmed by Bernabeu ovation

Roma veteran Francesco Totti thanked the Real Madrid fans for giving him a standing ovation when he came on as a substitute in the Champions league round-of-16 game at the Bernabeu on Tuesday.

Totti, 39, who has spent his entire playing career with the Giallorossi, came on to replace Stephan El Shaarawy for the final 15 minutes of his side’s 2-0 defeat.

The forward, who said his one regret in football is that he never played for Real, told reporters: “It’s a unique emotion – indescribable.

“I really didn’t expect it to be so strong. It means I’ve given a lot to the game of football, and this is my thanks from an amazing stadium.”

Tuesday’s game, which saw Madrid complete a 4-0 aggregate win after Roma had missed a number of good chances, is likely to have been Totti’s last visit to the Bernabeu as a player.

With his contract up for renewal in the summer and Roma not assured of a place in the Champions League next season, Totti said: “This is a moment I just want to enjoy now, and then we’ll see.”

Totti became the latest Italian player to be given an ovation by the Bernabeu crowd, who have given similar receptions to Alessandro Del Piero and Andrea Pirlo in the past.

Madrid’s Sergio Ramos told reporters he had swapped shirts with Totti, who he said had been a boyhood hero.

Roma’s attention now turns to the final 10 games of the Serie A season. They are currently third, three points clear of fourth-placed Fiorentina –a position that would give them a Champions League playoff place