At this rate Ireland could be facing this ageless legend at Euro 2016.
Francesco Totti cannot stop scoring. After springing from the bench at the weekend to rescue a point for Roma, he went one better on Wednesday night and scored two!
He has not added to his 58 Azzurri caps since winning the 2006 World Cup, but he is coming into form at the right time – this most loyal of one club men.
The like of Tony Adams and Paul Scholes obtained legendary status at their clubs, having spent their whole careers with just the one team. But with the influx of money into the game, such situations are becoming rarer and rarer.
Totti made his first senior appearance for Roma in 1992. Some of you reading this might be younger than Totti’s relationship with I Giallorossi.
Now that his career winding down, the 39-year-old has found his time on the pitch rather limited, but he showed everyone just why he is so revered during a substitute appearance on Wednesday night.
With Roma trailing Torino 2-1 in the 86th minute of a crucial game, Totti was brought on as a last throw of the dice. Not only did the Italian forward score the equaliser 20 seconds after entering the fray, he then converted a spot kick just three minutes later to win the game and keep his side in the hunt for second place.
Fans and players alike were delighted with their talisman’s first goal, but after he slotted game-winning penalty into the corner they absolutely lost their minds.
It was a vital win for Roma, as they moved seven points ahead of fourth-placed Inter while they trail second-placed Napoli by five.
At present, they are on course for a Champions League play off spot, but passing out Napoli would propel them straight to the group stages.
Totti, meanwhile, keeps making the case for a new contract to take him into his forties.
