Lazio's Ultras Write Open Letter to 'Enemy of a Lifetime' Francesco Totti Ahead of His Retirement

Lazio's group of hardcore fans have written an open letter to Roma legend Francesco Totti ahead of what is likely to be his final ever appearance in Serie A football. 

The striker will end his 25-year association with Roma at the end of the season and as tributes pour in from around the globe, fierce rivals Lazio were able to put their feelings to one side as they unveiled a banner in tribute to Totti during their home match with Inter Milan on Sunday. 

The banner itself read "The enemies of a lifetime greet Francesco Totti", and it seems that this sentimental emotion that is sweeping across Lazio's Ultras is growing by the minute, as they also sent him an open letter to show their appreciation. 

With a mixture of sincere gestures and degree of irony, the letter read, as quoted by Calciomercato: "It was the 6th of March 1994 when we met you for the first time. You came in for Piacentini and won a penalty which Giannini had saved. 

"You were so young but were already able to excellently describe your team's history of penalties and missed occasions. 

"Since then as you created record after record, while all the stadiums of the world applauded you, while you thought who to dedicate shirts to, between Sanremo and advertising, Lazio won one Serie A, one European Supercup, four Coppa Italia's (one of which was heavy, you were present and we happily applauded you!) and 3 Italian Supercups. 

"How much you could have won in Real Madrid if you were on the pitch, nobody would understand. You are the only champion they did not purchase. 

"Without you they can be happy with two Intercontinental cups, two club World Cups, five Champions Leagues, three European Supercups, seven La Liga titles, three Spanish cups and six Spanish Supercups. Little for a player of your talent?

"In any case, and especially in these teams you reached a milestone which deserves respect. 

"The respect you did not get by your supporters or club, and this honestly speaking makes us feel sorry. We would have never let a player like you get treated like that. We would never have observed in silence what they are doing to you and what they did. 

"Today, nobody deafens you and we obviously cannot do it. None of us are bitter for the shirts and jokes you dedicated to us. If anything, they are fitting and have to be there. 

"We are in Rome and it works like this. Who knows what epilogue this story will have. If you will rewrite another surprise and someone won't know who to support anymore. 

"In any case, we shake your hand like one would to an opponent who leaves the pitch after many years. 

"From your best 'enemies'."