Totti visits a young woman who has woken up after hearing an audio recording of him
Roma legend Francesco Totti visited a young woman in the hospital who woke up from a coma she had entered nine months ago, after hearing an audio recording of the former Italian soccer star.
Elinia Matteli, 19, defends the colors of Lazio, the traditional rivals of Rome, but she is a supporter of the latter, and she fell into a coma after suffering a terrible traffic accident that killed one of her friends last December.
And Totti, the 2006 World Cup winner, sent a video recording a few months ago to Elena, saying: "Elena, don't give up, you can do it (salvation), we are all with you."
Mattelle finally fell out of coma, and as Totti promised her, he visited her in Gemeley Hospital, where she is recovering from her accident.
After the meeting, which lasted about an hour and a half, Totti told reporters, "She smiled at me, overwhelmed me and started crying. The meeting was exciting with Elinia and when she leaves the hospital we will meet again."
As for her father, Stefano Matteli, he told the Corriere della Sera newspaper: "I have to thank my sister's friend who came up with the idea of contacting Francesco Totti to make an audio recording for him."
He revealed, "Francesco agreed immediately. He is a kind-hearted person. Talking to him today in the hospital was like talking to a brother."
Illenia is still unable to speak, but she expresses her feelings through hand gestures and words on a tablet.
In turn, Totti made a statement of encouragement to Illenia, saying: “Don't give up, you can get out (from this position). Hurry up. Hurry up. I will visit you at your home when you can walk and talk."
Neurologist Professor Luca Padua praised Totti, noting the "great ability to manage a difficult situation."
"The former Roma captain did not expect a dramatic situation to this extent, but in the end the atmosphere was very funny," he added.
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