STILL YOUNG AT 38!

At the 86th Academy Awards, Ellen DeGeneres - together with Jennifer Lawrence, Brad Pitt and a group of Hollywood superstars - took what has become known as the most famous selfie in history.

That title may be under threat now after Roma’s timeless legend Francesco Totti followed his own Oscar-winning performance by taking an iPhone self-portrait during a thrilling Derby della Capitale.

Totti was playing in a record 40th derby – 21 years after his first – and despite being in his 39th year he continues to create magic every time he sets foot onto the pitch.

At half time, Roma looked dead and buried as they trailed 2-0. Lazio had completely dominated the first half – with Felipe Anderson giving Maicon his most dizzying run-around since Gareth Bale welcomed the full-back to White Hart Lane in 2010.

The Lazio winger was staking a claim to be Rome’s new Emperor as he continued his unstoppable run of form. After creating Stefano Mauri’s opener with a beautiful chipped pass, the Brazilian doubled the advantage by firing home a powerful daisy-cutter into the bottom corner.

Felipe Anderson has now directly contributed to 11 of Lazio’s last 13 goals – scoring six and assisting five. He is arguably Europe’s most in-form player right now.

But Totti showed the 21-year-old that, while form is temporary, his class is permanent. He halved the deficit two minutes into the second half by clinically finishing from substitute Kevin Strootman’s cross.


Then came the special moment on 63 minutes that is already a viral sensation and will be talked about in the red and yellow side of Rome for years to come.

Totti executed a magnificent acrobatic volley at the far post to level the scores before running to the Curva Sud, taking his smartphone from goalkeeping coach Guido Nanni, and taking a selfie. Like a Roman emperor from the 1st Century, Totti gave a thumbs-up to the camera.

"I thought about it during the week," Totti told Sky Italia's own cameras afterwards. "There is this fashion for selfies now and I like to keep my private life to myself, but this was a unique opportunity that would never be repeated. It was my phone and I asked Guido Nanni to bring it to me if I scored."

With 11 goals, Totti is tied with Dino Da Costa as the most prolific scorer in the history of the Rome derby. Whenever he has scored, Roma have never lost to Lazio.

And thanks to him, the Giallorossi earned a precious point in their battle for the Scudetto with Juventus. As Roma’s other forwards mis-fire in front of goal, as Miralem Pjanic and Daniele De Rossi under-perform in midfield, it is Totti who continues to provide the inspiration when it is most needed.

It is now inevitable that his celebration will be copied by scores of other players – one thing that can’t be copied, though, is his enduring genius with a football.