There left leg is marked by the scarsbut the a wound that never heals it is in the heart and in the memory. Francis Rock, 70 years todayformer Roma full-back with 173 appearances and 2 goals, 18 games And a network in National lived a twenty years from Kawasaki And half century Between torments And restlessnessIt was just twenty-two years old when, the October 19, 1976collapsed screaming on the lawn of the Tre Fontane, Eur district, in the middle of training. Francis he was dribbling with referee Riccardo Lattanzi. The knee gave way. The leg had taken a bad blow in Rome-Cesenaon October 10, but Rocca didn’t want to listen to reason and responded to the call-up to the national team. Played against Luxembourg, Saturday 16th: the last call in blue, the last game as a real player. And what a player: the first modern full-back from the history of our footballwithout forgetting of course a totem like Giacinto Facchetti.
The Beginning of the End: Rocca’s Ordeal The October 21st L’operation in the Villa Bianca clinic, in Rome. Professor Lamberto Perugia discovered a very serious situation: ligament damage and to the knee capsule, osteo-cartilaginous detachment of the internal femoral condyle. A problematic situation today, imagine then. An ordeal began: the Return to the field on 17 April 1977; The knee swelling 20 days later; the second operation in Lyon the September 15, 1977 entrusted to Professor Albert Trillat; The third intervention still of Trillat the June 29, 1978; the fourth operation The May 9, 1978; the fifth on December 18, 1980. “I do not give up. I want to try again even before deciding my future,” he said after his last stop under the knife. August 3, 1981 L’announcementin a Press conference improvised: “I’m quitting. I can’t go back to the way I used to be. and it is better to stop so as not to further compromise the situation – Today And the worst day of my life“. The August 29, 1981L’friendly against Internacional Porto Alegre to greet the Roman people, the white shirt with the number 3, a medal around his neck, the scarf, the Olimpico shouting his name for three minutes, the distorted face, the slap of the President Viola and a phrase: “It’s not a goodbye, but a see you later”. And instead, that August evening 43 years ago, the separation from Rome really took place.
Rocca and Rome Rocca never returned to that Rome “to which I gave a leg”. Rocca uncomfortable. Rocca no longer the “boor” of youth, but the man who reads Seneca. Rocca and his moral rigor. Forgotten Rock from the management of almost half a century of Romebut not by the fans, who wanted him in the Hall of Fame. Rocca who a few days ago was invited to Trigoria by Daniele De Rossi – a gesture that speaks volumes about the values of the current Giallorossi coach – for an emotional meeting with the team “I present to you a legend”. Rocca who has had various roles in the federal sector – Olympic, Under 15, Under 16, Under 17, Under 18, Under 19 and Under 20 -, but who was denied the jump to the Under 21. Rocca wanted by Dino Zoff during the former goalkeeper’s two-year tenure at the helm of the national team. Rocca who retired in total silence. Rocca who many football personalities look down when they meet him. Rocca who has been made many promises and none kept. Rocca, it was a beauty to see him running on the fieldoverwhelming opponents, going up and down his flank. Rocca who knew how to attack, but also knew how to defend and one day nullified Lato, a fast Polish striker with a sense of goal. Rocca who was a coach and educator, a trainer and football expert. Rocca who deserved an important chance. Rocca to whom many no longer answered the phone. Rocca who carried within himself what he could have been and was not. Rocca who has a wife who has always been at his side and two children, Chiara and Marco, boys from another era who carry within themselves the values passed on by their father. Rocca, which they called and still call Kawasaki. Rocca that smells of the Seventies, with all the baggage of the decade: the hopes, the torments, the disappointments, the rebellious spirit, the colors and the black and white. Happy 70, champion.
