Francesco Totti has revealed his marriage was put on the ropes after his wife Ilary Blasi bought a cat despite the Roma icon's protests.
The legendary striker retired in 2017 after staying in Rome for his entire career and becoming the face of the historic Serie A club.
The 43-year-old's marriage to Blasi in 2005 was aired live on TV and they have had three children together, but Totti admitted he was furious after his other half brought an unwanted pet into the family.
'I was furious with my wife, she bought a hairless cat and called it Donna Paola,' Totti told former team-mate Christian Vieri on Instagram Live.
'It's boiling. At night, it insists on sleeping inside our bed, next to our legs. She's a very affectionate cat, but almost caused us to break up.
'Ilary wanted a cat at all costs and I was adamant we shouldn't. One day, she brought it home, because ultimately she makes all the decisions in this family.
'We didn't speak for days, but in the end, I fell in love with the cat too.'
Totti was part of Italy's 2006 World Cup winning squad and helped to steer Roma to their last Serie A triumph in 2001.
He and his wife are often referred to at the 'Italian Beckham's' for their celebrity, and Totti is now enjoying retirement.