5 iconic footballers who need to retire at the end of the season

One of the worst things in football is when a a great player doesn’t know when to call it quits. It can be quite painful to see once great starts stumble through the remainder of their careers as if being punished. So here's a list of 5 great players that need to retire and prevent tarnishing of their glorious reputations.

#1 Francesco Totti

The eighth king of Rome and perhaps the most beloved, Francesco Totti is a living legend. ‘The king of Rome is not dead' can often be heard from the terraces of Stadio Olimpico, alluring to the presence of the ethereal Totti, such is the fervor surrounding the man.

Totti, even with his fledgling steps, had the fans enamored with him. At the tender age of 12, he rejected a contract with Lazio simply because it was not the team he supported. The attitude was not commensurate with that of a twelve year old boy, but he stood firm in his determination. He supported Roma and would only play for them. 26 years later, he now stands as the greatest player to have ever graced the shirt.

Totti has seen it all, he's been through the highest highs and the lowest lows. Through the years he's had to adapt and change positions to fit into changing tactics and philosophies, battle the vicissitudes of time to stay fit and competent and defer interest from bigger and better clubs.

He is now 38 years old. Still a first choice and still a key member of the team, but one can't help but feel that the magic will soon dwindle. He might still have one season in him, but beyond that it gets harder to imagine Totti being Totti. A lesser version of him cannot happen. His legacy cannot be tainted.

This is the strongest Roma line-up in recent memory and it stands a decent chance of winning the scudetto and making a good run in the champions league. This is the perfect platform for Totti to retire on. As a winner. As the king of Rome.