Soccer birthdays: I have never been more excited about a daily re-set that I am today. Maybe it’s because I only do one re-set a week that (a) I can still get excited (really excited) about them, and (b) I don’t often this kind of stand-out birthday, but when I looked and saw Francesco Totti was born today, I practically jumped off my picnic table (that’s not a figure of speech; I’m really sitting at a picnic table).
Keep that excitement in mind as you read the following superlatives.
As he turns 36, it’s the perfect time to stop and reflect on how undervalued Francesco Totti’s been. Romanistas don’t undervalue him, but because he’s been a club-first man who wasn’t anywhere near as dominant for country as he has been for club, Totti’s only been adequately appreciated in Italy - by those he’s served he’s served and those he’s burned. Over the course of his career, Totti’s been one of the world’s best players, a truly unique talent, but because he only scored nine goals for Italy, he hasn’t been fully appreciated.
Along with Juan Roman Riquelme, he is on of this era’s quintessential trequartistas, an odd grouping considering the drastic differences between the two players. Riquelme is slick, magical, his deft touches dominating with caresses. Totti is imposing in skill, movement and personality, capable of striking a fatal blow or distracting you while setting up a teammate to do the same.
I better stop now. This is supposed to be a daily re-set, not a love letter to Francesco.
Big Important Stories of the Day: John Terry’s expected to return to Wembley on Thursday to hear the verdict on The FA’s charge that he racial abused Anton Ferdinand last October. There had been speculation that a decision could be delayed until after Chelsea’s game Saturday against Arsenal, but now it looks like the Blues’ captain will miss this weekend’s derby (along with a few more games). If you need a refresher on the Terry issues, read about his abrupt international retirement and some details about The FA hearing.
Soccer Birthdays: I forgot to mention: Totti was a member of Italy’s 2006 World Cup-winning squad.
RASNoD (Random American Soccer Name of the Day): Eduardo Hurtado
What you should watch on TV today: If you’re lucky enough to have beIN Sport, then you can catch one of the few live games on today: Siena vs. Bologna in Serie A action. Beyond that, it’s pretty bad. Even the repeat stuff on FOX Soccer stinks (who wants to watch Celtic-Benfica - there were only two shots on goal!).
Soccer Birthdays: Totti is also Roma’s all-time leader in appearances and goals. With his goal against Sampdoria this weekend, Totti is now up to 216 Serie A goals for Roma, 271 in all competitions.
PST background noise while blogging today: The Shins, who PST recently saw in concert as they’re touring the States’ west coast. Their performance of “Phantom Limb” was, as expected, particularly noteworthy.
We’ll leave you with this: Did you know it’s Francesco Totti’s birthday?