Totti made 786 appearances in a 15-year-career for Roma.
Totti made 786 appearances in a 15-year-career for Roma.
Paolo Bruno/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images

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Francesco Totti visited local prison in 2006

Adoring fan stayed in jail an extra week to see him

Fan: 'If you make me leave, I will do something crazy'

CNN  — 

Fans will often go to unusual lengths to get a selfie alongside their favorite star but not many would consider an extra week in jail as an option.

But that’s exactly what happened when it was announced that Francesco Totti would join his Italy teammates in a tour of a local prison, shortly after winning the 2006 World Cup, according to the Roma great.

“Everyone was very happy because for them to see a player inside was like seeing the Pope,” Totti told Italian television channel RAI as he promotes his autobiography, which is published Thursday.

“There was this lad there that kept shouting, ‘Me! Me! Me!’ and wanted, at absolutely all costs, to take a photo with me.

“No-one would let him through, but he started to push his way forward and try and get closer to me to take a photo. I did not really understand why he was so determined.”

Roma players hold up Francesco Totti after his last match for the club.
Roma players hold up Francesco Totti after his last match for the club.
Paolo Bruno/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images

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It wasn’t until after the players had left the prison that someone told Totti why that particular fan had been so keen to grab a selfie with his hero.

“They let me know that he was supposed to leave a week before, but had asked to stay one week longer because he had heard that I would be going there,” Totti continued.

“And also because he told them: ‘If you make me leave, I will do something crazy to be sent back here.’”

Cristiano Ronaldo is left in tears after getting a red card in his Champions League debut for Juventus in the Mestalla stadium in Valencia.
Cristiano Ronaldo is left in tears after getting a red card in his Champions League debut for Juventus in the Mestalla stadium in Valencia.
JOSE JORDAN/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Ronaldo was sent off after a clash with Valencia's Jeison Murillo and is set to miss Juve's next three games in the competition.
Ronaldo was sent off after a clash with Valencia's Jeison Murillo and is set to miss Juve's next three games in the competition.
JAVIER SORIANO/AFP/Getty Images
Manchester United's French midfielder Paul Pogba scored a double as the EPL giant eased past Young Boys 3-0 in Bern.
Manchester United's French midfielder Paul Pogba scored a double as the EPL giant eased past Young Boys 3-0 in Bern.
ALAIN GROSCLAUDE/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Federico Fazio of AS Roma is challenged by Gareth Bale who helped Real Madrid to a 3-0 win with the second goal in the Santiago Bernabeu.
Federico Fazio of AS Roma is challenged by Gareth Bale who helped Real Madrid to a 3-0 win with the second goal in the Santiago Bernabeu.
Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Barcelona captain Lionel Messi scored the first goal of this season's Champions League on his way to his record eighth careeer hat-trick in the competition. was in his usual sensational form. The pinpoint free-kick helped Barca to a 4-0 win over PSV Eindhoven at the Nou Camp.
Group B —
Barcelona captain Lionel Messi scored the first goal of this season's Champions League on his way to his record eighth careeer hat-trick in the competition. was in his usual sensational form. The pinpoint free-kick helped Barca to a 4-0 win over PSV Eindhoven at the Nou Camp.
LLUIS GENE/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Inter Milan scored two late goals to stun Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 in their return to the Champions League after a seven-year absence. The visitors seemed to be cruising to three points until punished by goals from Mauro Icardi and Matias Vecino.
Group B —
Inter Milan scored two late goals to stun Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 in their return to the Champions League after a seven-year absence. The visitors seemed to be cruising to three points until punished by goals from Mauro Icardi and Matias Vecino.
ANDREAS SOLARO/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Last season's beaten finalists Liverpool got off to a perfect start against star-studded PSG. Substitute Roberto Firmino (right) rifled in a stoppage time winner. The Brazilian had started the match on the bench after a cringe worthy eye injury but proved the hero in the 3-2 victory.
Group C —
Last season's beaten finalists Liverpool got off to a perfect start against star-studded PSG. Substitute Roberto Firmino (right) rifled in a stoppage time winner. The Brazilian had started the match on the bench after a cringe worthy eye injury but proved the hero in the 3-2 victory.
Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
The French side looked as though they had pegged Liverpool back in the closing minutes. Star teenager Kylian Mbappe converted an 85th minute equalizer to temporarily hush the Anfield crowd.
Group C —
The French side looked as though they had pegged Liverpool back in the closing minutes. Star teenager Kylian Mbappe converted an 85th minute equalizer to temporarily hush the Anfield crowd.
Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Diego Costa converted Antoine Griezmann's sensational pass to begin Atletico Madrid's comeback against Monaco. The visitors fought back from an early goal down to beat the French side 2-1.
Group A —
Diego Costa converted Antoine Griezmann's sensational pass to begin Atletico Madrid's comeback against Monaco. The visitors fought back from an early goal down to beat the French side 2-1.
CHRISTOPHE SIMON/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
There was late drama in Borussia Dortmund's game against Club Brugge. The German visitors had been frustrated for much of the match but found a winner through Christian Pulisic in the 85th minute.
Group A —
There was late drama in Borussia Dortmund's game against Club Brugge. The German visitors had been frustrated for much of the match but found a winner through Christian Pulisic in the 85th minute.
JOHN THYS/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
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Totti made 786 appearances in a 15-year-career for Roma, guiding his side to the Serie A title in 2001.

His talent and loyalty to the club’s colors – Totti never played for another team – has entrenched the forward as an icon of Roma and Italian football.

“Even if I lived for another 100 years, I’ll never again have a chance like this to have my photo taken alongside Totti,” the fan wrote in an open letter, according to the Roma star.

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Roma has faced a tough start to the season, winning just one of their first five league matches, and have a run on important fixtures ahead.

They next face rivals Lazio in the Rome derby on Saturday before hosting Viktoria Plzen in the Champions League on Tuesday. A win is essential following their 3-0 loss to Real Madrid in their opening group game.