Roma´s Totti goes under the knife

AS Roma captain Francesco Totti leaves the pitch after being injured during an Italian serie A football match against Livorno at Olympic stadium in Rome on April 19. Totti has undergone a knee operation to repair damage sustained during the disappointing 1-1 home draw against lowly Livorno.

      ROME (AFP) - AS Roma captain Francesco Totti underwent a knee operation on Sunday to repair damage sustained during Saturday's disappointing 1-1 home draw against lowly Livorno.

      Totti's season had already been declared as over after he suffered the injury, which saw him limp off during the first half on Saturday, and he is now expected to be out for four months, meaning he faces a race against time to be fit for the start of next season.

      "After examining the player, professor Pierpaolo Mariani (Totti's surgeon) confirmed the primary diagnosis: that he has partially ruptured his cruciate knee ligament," said Roma club doctor Mario Brozzi in a statement.

      "Roma have already had to deal with this kind of injury and we believe that four months is enough recovery time."

      The 31-year-old Totti had vowed earlier in the day that he would come back stronger than ever.

      He also explained how he felt in the moment he was injured.

      "I was a little scared because I heard a crack. Even so, I've had worse happen to me," he said on Sunday morning.