Francesco Totti: I haven’t been the same since my wife of 17 years cheated

The Roma legend was married to Ilary Blasi but their marriage collapsed after the footballer announced his retirement.

Totti and Blasi tied the knot in 2005 and are blessed with three children, but the pair decided to split in July last year.

Italian superstar Francesco Totti spent 25 years playing for AS Roma AFP

The 46-year-old said he struggled to cope after his retirement and further revealed that his father died after contracting Coronavirus.

According to Totti, he hasn’t been himself since Covid killed his father and his marriage also collapsed after his wife cheated.

“I have lived through a difficult period, first because I stopped playing and then my father died due to Covid,” Totti said, as quoted by Marca.

“I also had a strong Covid (illness) for 15 days. However, my wife, when I needed her most, was not there. It is not true that I was the first to betray. I said I was not going to speak and I did not, but I have read too many hoaxes in recent weeks. Some have even made my children suffer.”

He added: “In September of last year the rumours began to reach me: "look, Ilary has another one. Indeed, more than one.

“I had never done it in twenty years, nor had she ever done it with me. But when I received warnings from different people, whom I trust, I began to suspect.

“I looked at her cell phone and I saw that there was a third person, who acted as an intermediary between Ilary and another. Here was the evidence (of the affair). The facts. And that led me to depression. I could no longer pretend that nothing was happening, but it wasn't me anymore, it was someone else. I got out thanks to Noemi."

Totti retired in 2017 following a trophy-laden career that lasted over two decades.