Speaking at a press conference reported in a number of outlets, Totti said: "I never had the chance to express myself. I was never involved in a genuine technical project.

"In the first year, that can happen. In the second, I realised what I wanted to do and we never got together, never helped each other.

"They knew my intentions and what I wanted, to give so much to this club and team, but they never wanted me to, in all honesty. They excluded me from every decision. I will now take other paths."

Last week Totti failed to appear at the club's meeting in London, where new coach Paulo Fonseca was presented. Roma's American owner Jim Pallotta insisted he had been invited, sparking speculation over Totti's position.

Totti, a World Cup winner with Italy in 2006, spent his entire playing career with Roma. He made his debut in 1989 and went to appear 786 times for the club, scoring 307 goals in all competitions. He won Serie A in 2001.

He said: "This is far worse than retiring as a player. Leaving Roma is like dying. I feel like it'd be better if I died."

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