Francesco Totti took part in the Italian version of Celebrity Hunted, getting help from Marco Di Vaio and Antonio Cassano. “I could still play half-an-hour and have my say on the pitch.”

The 43-year-old Roma legend had to take on a series of disguises during the show and make his ‘escape’ from the chasing pack by using his wits and contacts.

Totti got a lift from Bologna director Di Vaio and had lunch at the home of Cassano’s mother in Genoa.

He also got to discuss his retirement in 2017, when Roma refused to offer a new contract, and his consequent viral video triumphs in five-a-side games.

“I could still play half-an-hour and have my say on the pitch,” Totti told Di Vaio. “I would never have retired… The games are the things you miss the most. You have to reinvent yourself, start all over again. It’s completely different being a director to a player.”