Francesco Totti's final act as a Roma player could have been a missed penalty, according to teammate Juan Jesus.
Totti brought an end to his 25-year career with Roma last month, coming on as a substitute in the 54th minute of the 3-2 Serie A victory over Genoa, which clinched second place and Champions League qualification ahead of Napoli.
The 40-year-old was given a send-off by Roma supporters at the Stadio Olimpico following the full-time whistle, but Jesus says Totti's script had a different ending in mind.
Roma needed to match or better Napoli's result on the final day of the season to be assured of second place, and with the Partenopei beating Sampdoria comfortably, that meant no risks could be taken at the Stadio Olimpico, where Genoa -- who had nothing but pride to play for -- took the lead and then levelled the game at 2-2 with 10 minutes left.
Diego Perotti went on to score Roma's winner in the first minute of stoppage time to book their place in next season's Champions League group stage, but there was no time left for Totti to complete his planned send-off.
"He was nervous all week," Jesus told Porto Alegre-based station Radio Atlantida. "One day he would say, 'I'm quitting,' and the next he would be, 'I'm going to keep playing.' Before Roma-Genoa, we all got together in the dressing room and he said, 'If I get a penalty, I won't score it, I'll kick the ball into the Curva [Sud].'
"There wasn't a penalty so instead he sent an autographed ball into the Curva after the game. Totti is a fantastic person and he deserves far more than just that party. He's somebody who helps those in need a lot, without anybody needing to know about it.
"We're honoured to have played alongside him in this, his final season with Roma. He could have won a lot at other clubs because there are technically few around in the world like him."
Jesus' comments were backed up by Sky Sport Italia commentator Fabio Caressa.
"Had there been a penalty for Roma when the game was already decided, [Totti] would have taken the ball, signed it, and then he would have missed it on purpose," Caressa said. "He was going to strike it into the Curva Sud as a gift to the fans."
With so much riding on the result and no chance to take any risks, Totti instead helped keep the ball in the corner to run down the final minutes of the clock before leaving the field at the final whistle and re-emerging for a lap of honour, which culminated in him signing the ball and kicking it into the Curva Sud.
Roma want Totti to stay on at the club in a director's role next season, though the former Italy international has yet to announce a decision on his future.