Totti takes handbags 'hostage' as wife of 17 years runs off with his Rolexes

ITALY legend Francesco Totti has taken his wife's handbags "hostage" as she allegedly refuses to give back his Rolex watches.

The 46-year-old Roma legend separated from Italian model and TV presenter Ilary Blasi, 41, in July.

But Roma icon Totti said their relationship began to deteriorate when Ilary wasn't there when he "needed her most".

The 58-cap Italy international admitted he struggled mentally after retiring in 2017 and losing his father to Covid-19 in 2020.

Totti then had Covid himself, before alleging that he heard "rumours" of wife Ilary being unfaithful in September last year.

And now he is keeping Ilary's handbags from her as he awaits the return of his watches.

He told Corriere della Sera: "What was I supposed to do? I hid the bags, hoping for an exchange."

And a source close to Totti revealed to Italian media: "All she has to do is return the watches and this is over."

Ilary has asked a judge to order the return of her handbags, while she also appeared to post an Instagram video mocking Totti by posing in front of a Rolex shop.

The pair first met in 2002 before getting married three years later, and have three children together - Cristian, 17, Chanel, 15, and Isabel, six.

Totti, who is now in a relationship with new partner, Noemi Bocchi, 34, has denied he cheated on Ilary first and says he discovered her alleged infidelity by checking her phone.

He said: "It is not true that I was the first to betray. I said I was not going to speak and I did not, but I have read too many hoaxes in recent weeks. Some have even made my children suffer.

"In September of last year the rumours began to reach me: 'Look, Ilary has another one. Indeed, more than one.'

"I had never done it in twenty years, nor had she ever done it with me. But when I received warnings from different people, whom I trust, I began to suspect.

"I looked at her cell phone and I saw that there was a third person, who acted as an intermediary between Ilary and another.

"Here was the evidence (of the affair). The facts. And that led me to depression.

"I could no longer pretend that nothing was happening, but it wasn't me anymore, it was someone else."

Meanwhile, Ilary has not addressed the accusations of infidelity, but did say: "I've discovered things that would ruin 50 families."

The pair are set for a bitter divorce dispute following reports that Ilary was refused £32,000-a-month in maintenance.