Francesco Totti became the third Italian footballer to receive the Golden Foot award late Monday in Monte Carlo.
As part of the ceremony, the 34-year-old captain of Roma left a mould of his footprints to be displayed in the Champions Promenade, on the seafront of the Principality of Monaco.
The prize is awarded to active footballers older than 29 and a jury of journalists selects 10 players, who are then voted for by the public on the Golden Foot website.
Totti beat Raul and David Beckham in this year’s vote.
“I am happy about this prestigious prize and I am happy about what I have done so far,” Totti said. “I hope to do even better.
“This prize at this moment could help me do better for myself and for the team.” There has been tension lately between the Rome club and Totti over some substitutions and he showed his disagreement with them.
The mood has been glum at Roma due to a bad start to the season, with only five points from six games.
“I have given everything to Roma. If I am well, I want to play,” Totti said. His mood grew worse at the weekend after his car’s windscreen was smashed with rocks outside his Rome residence.
Roberto Baggio, who won the first edition in 2003, and Alessandro Del Piero are the previous Italian winners of the award.
