Francesco Totti is a legend in the eyes of Italian football fans.
The attacking midfielder had a very unique career, especially when it comes to modern football, as the Italian star was a one-club man, playing for Roma across 24 years between 1993 and 2017.
That saw Totti rack up an incredible 785 appearances for the Giallorossi, in which he produced 307 goals and 205 assists.
The number 10 would also win every trophy possible in Italy, whilst becoming a World Cup winner with his nation in 2006.
Being compared to Totti is an honour for many players, but Arsenal star Riccardo Calafiori has gone one better and has stated that Man City have a player currently better than the Roma legend.
Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images
Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images
Man City’s Kevin De Bruyne is better than Francesco Totti
In an interview with GOAL during a recent Adidas event, Calafiori was asked to pick which player is better when presented with two options from the Premier League and Serie A in every position.
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When it got to the number 10 role, Kevin De Bruyne and Totti were the options, and the Arsenal defender opted for the Man City legend, stating: “I love Totti. But for what he has done, I think De Bruyne.”
For an Italian to say this is huge praise for De Bruyne, who is set to bring his career at Man City to an end once the current campaign concludes.
Man City fans believe it is the right time for De Bruyne to leave the Etihad Stadium as it has become clear that his body is not able to handle the demands of the Premier League anymore, despite impressing in recent contests.
Chicago Fire look like De Bruyne’s next destination, and with the MLS side, the Belgian will continue to add to his legacy in order to be compared to other great players.
Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images
Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images
How Kevin De Bruyne compares to Francesco Totti
De Bruyne and Totti are an easy comparison as the two players played in the number 10 role for most of their careers, although the Italian star could also be deployed as a centre-forward.
That is evident in the numbers as the Italian’s goal contributions are larger than those of Man City’s star, but that cannot tell the full story as the Belgian has been very influential from deeper positions.
Player Games Goals Assists
Kevin De Bruyne 647 155 261
Francesco Totti 785 307 205
The career stats of Kevin De Bruyne and Francesco Totti
When it comes to play style, the similarities are obvious as both were best when given freedom, with both legendary figures being very versatile, great passers of the ball, and accurate shooters when their teams required goals.
For De Bruyne to be labelled as greater than Totti by an Italian, that should come as a huge honour, as the Roma star is loved by everyone in the nation, not just Roma supporters.