Roma star Francesco Totti looks poised to write off an undeserved rap for petulance and write his name in soccer history.
Totti is peaking nicely for the World Cup and knows he is capable of producing the kind of performance in Germany this summer that the soccer world will remember. And if Italy go all the way and take their fourth trophy, he could go down as on of soccer's greats.
Totti, 29, was expected to make his mark on the world stage at Euro 2004 two years ago.
Instead, an unwise spit at a hard-tackling Dane put him out of the tournament as Italy fizzled out before he could get another game. Now, pundits here are saying, his recent surge in form has shown he can put all that behind him with a vengeance.
The midfielder has always been recognised as one of Italy's most gifted players, with rare ball skills, vision and a thunderous shot.
But he has sometimes tended to 'disappear' from big matches, especially when close-marked.
Some commentators have even accused him of falling around and whining when opponents pay him the dubious compliment of hacking at his heels. All that appears to have changed.
The playmaker-striker has married his native gifts to a new command of his nerves in leading Roma to a seven-win streak.
What's more, he's already scored more goals than he managed all last season. Totti's touch and creative spark were on display again in Sunday's 3-0 win against Parma which put the Romans in fifth place in Serie A, just four behind Fiorentina and in prime
position to steal Italy's fourth Champions League berth. One of the goals, set up by a no-look, first-time flick from the captain's magical right foot, came right out of the classic pages of the soccer playbook, Italy's sports press recognised on Monday.
Totti's puts his newfound maturity down to his marriage last year to long-time girlfriend, TV starlet Ilary Blasi, and the birth of their son. "They've given me the stability I've sometimes been lacking," he said.
"I can safely say that this is the happiest time of my life."
The only thing worrying Totti as he heads towards a possible glory-filled World Cup are those niggling fouls. He may not fall around as much as he used to, but they still take a great toll, he says.
"Sometimes I'm black and blue for days. I have to go into physiotherapy right after every match and I'm often left with just one day's training before the next game."
"I'm worried about it: I want to be fully fit for the World Cup."
If he is, Italy's rivals had better look out.
Francesco Totti appears finally ready to show the world his stuff.
