Not every football fairytale follows in a father’s footsteps — and Cristian Totti’s story is one of those that took a different turn.
At just 19 years old, the son of AS Roma icon Francesco Totti has decided to step away from playing professionally.
It’s a big move, especially when your last name echoes through Italian stadiums like a legend.
The Pressure of a Famous Surname
In football, we’ve seen some sons of superstars carve their own paths — think Paolo Maldini or Kasper Schmeichel.
But having a legendary dad doesn’t mean you’re guaranteed success.
And Cristian, from the very beginning, had the weight of expectation loaded on his shoulders simply because of his last name.
He was just a kid when he stood beside his dad at the Stadio Olimpico in 2017, as Francesco Totti closed the curtain on a glittering Roma career that spanned 786 appearances.
That emotional farewell planted the seed in many minds that maybe Cristian would someday pick up the torch.
A Modest Playing Journey
Cristian started out with Roma, following the same path as his father.
But unlike Francesco, he didn’t get the chance to break into the senior team.
In 2023, he left the club without making a first-team appearance and tried his luck in Spain with Rayo Vallecano.
After that, he returned to Italy for a short stint at fourth-tier side Olbia.
Since parting ways with Olbia last year, Cristian has been without a club.
And now, he’s officially decided to call time on his footballing career — before even hitting 20.
A New Chapter at Totti Soccer School
But Cristian isn’t walking away from the sport entirely. Instead, he’s staying within football — just in a different capacity.
He’ll now be working at the Totti Soccer School in Italy, joining his older brother Riccardo.
Cristian’s new role involves scouting young talent and working closely with Claudio D’Ulisse, the academy’s general manager.
It’s a shift from boots to clipboard — but still firmly rooted in the game that’s been part of his family for decades.
A Manager’s Confidence That Didn’t Translate
Marco Amelia, the former AC Milan goalkeeper and Cristian’s manager at Olbia, was confident in the teenager’s potential.
In an interview with AS, Amelia said he always believed in Cristian’s abilities.
“He was a midfielder who could read the game well, create chances, and even win the ball back,” Amelia said.
“I saw him having a strong career in Serie C or Serie B.”
But Amelia also admitted something telling — that being the son of Francesco Totti made things harder.
“The pressure was too much,” he said. “It affected how people assessed him.”
What’s Next for Cristian Totti?
Cristian’s decision to retire might surprise some, but it also reflects how intense and unforgiving the spotlight can be — especially when you’re expected to match a footballing legend.
Now, he gets the chance to shape the next generation, maybe even helping kids who feel the same weight he once did.
And with the Totti family still deeply involved in the sport, Cristian’s story isn’t over — it’s just taking a different path.