Francesco Totti: modern football is more business, less talent
Former Roma captain says the game has shifted toward business, physicality and speed at the cost of individual flair.
Roma legend Francesco Totti warned that the game he knew as a player has changed, arguing modern football is increasingly driven by business, physical preparation and pace rather than individual flair.
Speaking on October 18, 2026, the former Italy international and long-time Roma captain said the balance of values around the sport has shifted.
Totti on talent and belonging
“In the football I knew as a fan and player there was more love for the club shirt, dedication and a sense of belonging. Today it is business. Football has become less technical and more physical,” Totti said.
He added that it has become rare to find players who dazzle with technical skill: while modern players often possess strength, speed and power, Totti believes there is less creativity and individual talent compared with previous generations.
Totti spent his entire professional career at Roma, representing the club for 25 years — a record of loyalty he cited as an example of the connection players once felt to their shirts.
His remarks reopen an ongoing debate about how football’s commercialisation and evolving training methods are shaping the sport's future and the profile of players coming through academies today.
Photo: Gianmarco✍🏼 @GianmarcoDaria (X)
