"I don’t know cricket, I don’t know how Sachin plays. But I still try to watch him playing because I want to know why my country’s economy goes down 0.5% when he’s batting."

"The thing I admire most about this man is his poise. The way he moves, elegantly without ever looking out of place in any condition or company, suggests his pedigree."

"I have to say Sachin (is better than Lara), because he has that aura when he comes out to bat."

"You might pitch a ball on the off stump and think you have bowled a good ball and he walks across and hits it for two behind midwicket. His bat looks so heavy but he just waves it around like it's a toothpick."

"You know genius when you see it, and let me tell you, Sachin is pure genius."

"The only batsman I would love to see by paying for the tickets and sitting in the stand just to watch him is none other than Sachin Tendulkar."

"Tendulkar is to cricket what Michael Jordan is to basketball and Muhammad Ali to boxing."

"Beneath the helmet, under that unruly curly hair, inside the cranium, there is something we don’t know, something beyond scientific measure. Something that allows him to soar, to roam a territory of sport that, forget us, even those who are gifted enough to play alongside him cannot even fathom. When he goes out to bat, people switch on their television sets and switch off their lives."

"He is a tremendous cricketer. He is young and has got a lot of ability. He's got his own style. He has got the temperament for big cricket and I hope that he goes from strength to strength."

"He has been in form longer than some of our guys have been alive."

"Sachin Tendulkar, the Little Master, is so talented that wherever you’re from, you can’t help but admire him as he hits another century."

"Putting Sachin Tendulkar's latest feat in a strictly cricketing context would not be fair to the sportsman. His achievements in the world of cricket need to be seen on a par with efforts in any other field - science, art, literature, etc - to push the frontiers of human excellence."

"For me, he is one of the greatest players I have ever seen."

"No one would have thought that Totti would have a career like this. But even from his debut you could see that he was destined to succeed. I have a great admiration for him. Look at the likes of Giggs, Gianfranco Zola, Roberto Baggio, Alessandro Del Piero – it is hard to believe that anyone can get to 40 years of age and keep playing, but Totti could. He is a boy who loves this city. He could have won more elsewhere, but he loves Rome."

"Totti is great, at his age he still makes a difference, as Federer. I’d take him everywhere, even to dinner with me. He is really strong. If AS Roma won the Scudetto I would invite Totti for a ride with me."

"I’d love to be the Francesco Totti of Juventus. I won’t make comparisons on role or history, but I hope to end my career with this jersey."

"I want to become Napoli’s Totti."

"My idols? I have several. Totti as well is someone I like. It is a pleasure to play against him now."

"Francesco Totti is a great champion and beyond description. I’m happy to be playing alongside him."

"Totti is an unattainable champions. It does not take long to realise that he is a real phenomenon for the things that he can do."

"I appreciate the presence of a leader like Totti. He is one of the best players in history. I feel lucky to play alongside him."

"I have so much respect for Francesco Totti. Considering what he represents at Roma, he is the captain of captains."

"Can I become a symbol of Fiorentina? I dream of becoming the Viola’s version of Francesco Totti."

"He is the equivalent to the Pope. People are devoted to him, but Francesco deserves it - he is a leader and is always able to express words of praise for his teammates."

"Pablo Osvaldo, Francesco is unique. He’s not only a phenomenon, he’s actually the best Italian player of all time."

"Roma are a great side and Francesco Totti, who called to convince me to join, is a great player who I have always admired."

"You learn a lot from Totti. He is a player that is part of the club’s history, an idol of the fans. Not mentioning the Argentines, Totti is the player who gives me the most advice. He is one of those who I talk to most. There are no problems with the language, we understand each other."

"Totti is an exceptional teacher, as it’s incredible to be training and playing with him. He is a leader, which I knew, but also different to the others. His football is joy."

"Totti has impressed me most about Roma. He has been, and remains, a very important player, who has spent many years here. The other day he explained that he joined the club in 1989 and is now 35 - he arrived before I was born!"

"Totti is very important, on and off the pitch, for what he has won and for his charisma. He’s an example for everyone to follow, for the young players and for players like me who have arrived from abroad. The fact that he has played his football here for so long is proof of that. It’s always nice to watch him train."

"Except for Francesco Totti, I don’t see any club symbols or any standard bearers in this country. He made a choice to reject all other teams even if they offer more money."

"Totti is a champion, he is untouchable. He can play for many years to come at Roma. It is right to have a mix between younger players and those with experience."

"I have played with many great footballers in my career and two of them are Gerrard and Totti. Both a great players, loyal and pleasant."

"Apart from his indisputable ability as a player, Francesco is a stupendous person. I grew up a lot alongside him and De Rossi. Totti, for me, is an idol. If it wasn’t for him then I wouldn’t be here today. I’m honoured to have known him. Totti is not a problem for Coaches, but for defences."

"Totti is a treasure for Roma, He is the greatest player of all time after Baggio."

"When I was young I used to watch Italian football matches and my wish was to one day become like Totti."

"He is still a great player, He can shoot with either foot and can resolve a game in an instant, even with just a free-kick."

"Totti is a legend. He is the symbol of the Giallorossi. Even in Holland, when you talk about Roma, the first name to come up is Totti's. He is considered an extraordinary champion all over the world."

"Totti is a 'galactico', He is one of the best players in the world."

"I have a lot of respect for Francesco Totti. When you talk about Roma, you think about Francesco Totti, and when you talk about Francesco Totti, you think about Roma. I’ve had to battle so many times against him. I have maximum respect for him."

"I would have been honoured to play alongside Totti, as he is one of the best players in history. Any club would’ve been happy to have him in their squad."

"Totti is a great player, one of the last Number 10s remaining in football. The way to play football today has pushed out real Number 10s who make the show. I have a lot of admiration for him, I think he is the best Number 10."

"Totti is a patron of football, an absolute champion on and off the field. Francesco has only played as a centre forward for four or five years. He was a great Number 10 and playmaker, but now is a pure striker."

"Totti has written the history of Italian football, with the present and the future. He is a player who can not be doubted."

"When he's in form, Francesco is the best player in the world at his position."

"Totti is the greatest exponent of the Roman world. He is a player who kids look up to. When the day arrives that he has to retire, it will be hard for Roma and the whole environment there because he is a club emblem."

"Totti is always strong, and as a Roman, fights for the team. He makes you feel great, and was a fantastic teammate. He has done a lot of brilliant things for Roma and for the Italian national team. I have always rooted for him."

"Totti is a fantastic player.""

"Above all on the eve of a match like this one, when on the other side, wearing a captain band on his arm, there’s a player like Francesco Totti. If we put together our goals scored, it's over 500. If we sum up the years of career, wearing the same shirt – it comes up to 35. We won the World Cup together and those memories unite us forever""