Francesco Totti might never break Silvio Piola’s record for most career goals in Italy’s Serie A (first division) but the AS Roma legend nearly broke the Internet on Sunday.
Totti, 38, celebrated the second of his two goals in Roma’s 2-2 draw with Lazio by taking a selfie at the Stadio Olimpico with Roma fans in the background. Totti’s celebration, by far the most famous of soccer’s nascent selfie-celebration trend, caused a stir online, as fans couldn’t believe how hip the veteran forward proved himself to be.
The referee even declined to caution Totti for his lengthy celebration.
After the game, Totti told reporters that he had planned to take a rare selfie if he scored against his team’s crosstown rival, according to the BBC.
“I thought about it during the week,” Totti said. “Although it’s in fashion, I don’t usually take them because I want my private life to stay that way, but this was a special occasion, something to be remembered for a long time.”
AS Roma posted Totti’s selfie on its Facebook timeline immediately after the game.
The draw helped second-placed Roma maintain a nine-point lead over third-placed Lazio in Serie A’s standings.
It wasn’t the first time Totti displayed his prowess with a camera after scoring against Lazio. During a 2007 Rome derby, Totti celebrated a goal by commandeering a television camera and pointing it toward adoring Roma fans.
Totti’s goals took his career tally in Serie A to 239. Totti still is some distance behind Piola’s record of 274.
Totti led his team to a comeback draw, and his celebration undoubtedly will inspire copycats in Italy and beyond.
Thumbnail photo via Gregorio Borgia/The Associated Press
