Daniele De Rossi is an Italian and Roma legend; The son of a Roma player, he’s been knighted in Italy, won a World Cup, and played more than 500 games for i Lupi.
He made a gesture befitting his legend status on Wednesday in Italy.
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De Rossi left Roma training to attend the funeral of former Italy kitman Pietro Lombardi, who was known as Spazzolino -- or “The Toothbrush” -- for how well he cleaned and prepared the boots of Gli Azzurri.
Here’s what he did, courtesy Gazzetta World:Spazzolino had endeared himself to many of the players in that squad. Francesco Totti posted on his blog after hearing of his death. De Rossi reacted silently, preferring to keep his thoughts to himself, and his relationship with the man private.
He left training in the morning and put his World Cup winner’s medal in his pocket before driving to Florence. There, he greeted his friend for the final time and put his most valuable possession into the coffin.
Class gesture from De Rossi, who had been suspended for four matches in that 2006 World Cup championship run after elbowing USMNT striker Brian McBride.
Rest in peace, Spazzolino.