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Ryan Giggs and Paolo Maldini among legends who spent 20+ years at one club as Francesco Totti looks to call time on 25-year spell at Roma

Legendary Italian still going strong  quarter of a century on from debut, SunSport takes a long at similar achievements

FRANCESCO TOTTI turns 40 years old — and is still going at Roma.

He's 25 seasons in. He's only ever played for one club — his boyhood club — but will leave at the end of the season.

 Francesco Totti celebrates 250th Serie A goal during defeat to Torino ,22 years later
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Francesco Totti celebrates 250th Serie A goal during defeat to Torino ,22 years laterCredit: EPA/ALESSANDRO DI MARCO

His quarter of a century with club is truly staggering, and has rightly been lauded by sporting heroes from around the globe.


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But Totti isn't the only man to spend over two decades at one club — here are nine others.

Alessandro Costacurta — AC Milan: 1986-2007

 AC Milan players hoist Alessandro Costacurta in the air after final Milan game
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AC Milan players hoist Alessandro Costacurta in the air after final Milan gameCredit: Getty Images

Italian is one of three defenders to spend two decades with the Rossoneri — which coincided to create one of football's greatest-ever backlines.

Costacurta was at the club for real golden era — winning the European Cup/Champions League on five occasions and won Serie A seven times.

He retired at the grand old age of 41, and scored just three goals.

Giuseppe Bergomi — Inter Milan: 1979-1999

 A 36-year-old Giuseppe Bergomi battles with Manchester United's Andrew Cole
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A 36-year-old Giuseppe Bergomi battles with Manchester United's Andrew ColeCredit: Stu Forster /Allsport

Another Italian defender who played his entire career at the San Siro, but this time with Inter.

Bergomi started the 1982 World Cup final at the age of 18 — and the 1999 Champions League quarter-final clashes with Manchester United.

He retired at 36 and his appearance record at Inter was overtaken by Javier Zanetti.

Franco Baresi — Milan: 1977-1997

 Franco Baresi holds a flag celebrating Milan's 15th league title — won in 1996
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Franco Baresi holds a flag celebrating Milan's 15th league title — won in 1996Credit: AP:Associated Press

One of the great defenders in football and the second member of that famous Milan backline.

He played in three World Cups and won the European Cup/Champions League on three occasions.

Baresi staggeringly conceded just 23 goals in the 196 games he was partnered by Paolo Maldini in central defence.

Jack Chartlon — Leeds: 1952-1973

 World Cup-winner, Jack Chartlon, spent his entire club career in white of Leeds
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World Cup-winner, Jack Chartlon, spent his entire club career in white of LeedsCredit: Allsport

One of the few lists of greatest he actually beats his brother to.

Jack — along with Sir Bobby — won the World Cup with England in 1966.

He won the Second Division and the First Division as well as an FA Cup and was voted the Football Writers' Player of the Year in 1967.

Lev Yashin — Dinamo Moscow: 1949-1971

 Legendary Lev Yashin is the only goalkeeper to have won Ballon d'Or
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Legendary Lev Yashin is the only goalkeeper to have won Ballon d'OrCredit: Getty Images

Often regarded as the greatest goalkeeper to have ever played the game.

The 'Black Spider' was a pioneer in the art of shot-stopping due to his incredible reflexes and was part of the USSR team which won the 1960 European Championship.

Yashin is the only goalkeeper to have picked up the Ballon d'Or — in 1963 — he saved 151 penalties and kept 270 clean sheets.

Fritz Walter — Kaiserslautern: 1937-1959

 Germany legend, Fritz Walter, with the World Cup he helped claim in 1954
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Germany legend, Fritz Walter, with the World Cup he helped claim in 1954Credit: Getty Images

The German striker was the spearhead of their first-ever World Cup-winning side in 1954 — and netted a staggering 357 goals in 364 during his club career.

Walter was Soviet prisoner after World War II, but a Hungarian guard saw him playing and told them he was not German but from Saar Territory and he was released.

He proceeded to lead Kaiserslautern to two titles as captain, despite contracting malaria.

Rogerio Ceni — Sao Paolo: 1993-2015

 Rogerio Ceni scores a penalty — one of a 131 goals he scored in his career
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Rogerio Ceni scores a penalty — one of a 131 goals he scored in his careerCredit: Getty Images

Legendary Brazilian goalkeeper took free-kicks and penalties, scoring over 100 goals in his career.

Ceni actually made 20 appearances for Sinop before moving to Sao Paolo.

But he would spend the rest of his 23-year career with the Samba giants — making over 1,200 appearances.

Paolo Maldini — Milan: 1984-2009

 Paolo Maldini is football legend and often regarded as one of greatest defenders
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Paolo Maldini is football legend and often regarded as one of greatest defendersCredit: Getty Images

A TRUE football legend and third of that superb Rossoneri trio.

Maldini has been there and done it all — and done it all with one club.

Sadly, he is not remembered to fondly by the Milan fans, who booed him on his final appearance for comments made after his side lost the 2005 Champions League final.

Ryan Giggs — Manchester United: 1990-2014

 Ryan Giggs won the Premier League 13 times while at Manchester United
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Ryan Giggs won the Premier League 13 times while at Manchester UnitedCredit: Getty Images

The most decorated player in football history.

Giggs won as staggering 13 Premier League titles — as many as Arsenal who are the third most successful club in English football.

In his later years he adapted his game to rely less on his speed. He also won the Champions League twice — scoring the winning penalty against Chelsea in 2008 when he broke the United appearance record.

 

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