FEATURE: The real reason behind Francesco Totti and Ilary Blasi’s public and painful split

One of Italy’s finest footballers, Francesco Totti, was not only known for his skills on the field but also for his life as a family man, married to popular TV host Ilary Blasi. The media dubbed them “Italy’s Beckhams,” and they were admired for their glamorous life together and their three children. However, the once-idyllic relationship came to a shocking end, and even two years post-divorce, their split remains a hot topic, with tabloids still fixated on new revelations.

Totti and Blasi’s relationship, which began in 2005, was once the embodiment of stability, with their wedding even broadcast on national TV. But it all crumbled under the weight of infidelity accusations. According to Totti, it was Ilary who cheated, but Blasi has a different side to the story, claiming Totti had not been faithful either. In a Netflix documentary, she recently shared intimate details of their troubled relationship, providing insights that even their children Cristian (19), Chanel (17), and Isabel (8) had not known before.

"Our children saw the documentary and were given the choice to watch or not. They already know the story because they lived it. They don’t need to take sides, but it’s essential for them to have a clear view. They’ve experienced an emotional earthquake, but that’s part of the divorce," Blasi commented.

Why did Ilary Blasi make a documentary? She explained that the decision wasn’t motivated by the generous offer but was based on her desire to clarify her own story. "I spent a year and a half observing what was happening, collecting different opinions and perspectives. But ultimately, this is my story, and I’ve always taken responsibility for what I do. So, I felt it was time to tell it. The crisis began during a period when everything seemed normal. We spent a summer like we always did—traveling to Russia, relaxing in Sabaudia… and then everything changed."

Totti and Blasi’s issues became public when a photograph surfaced of Ilary meeting with her friend Alessia Solidani and a “mysterious man,” who was later identified as her personal trainer, Cristiano Jovino. According to Blasi, this event marked the beginning of their problems, with Totti accusing Solidani of causing friction in the marriage. However, Ilary maintained that Alessia was simply her best friend. In an interview with Corriere dello Sport, Totti admitted feeling shocked when he learned his wife was spending time with Jovino. "He’s entirely different from me, belonging to a world far from mine. It wasn’t just that she might have someone else but that she could be interested in such a person," Totti explained.

As the once-beloved Italian couple continued to unravel, Ilary highlighted Totti’s lifelong jealousy: "He’s always been like that. It’s nothing new… perhaps he was confused, scared. Maybe he found it easier to walk away."

Their marriage publicly dissolved after Ilary discovered Totti’s involvement with another woman, Noemi Bocchi (35). Photos emerged of Totti sitting with his children at a Roma - Genoa match, with Noemi just behind them, cementing the rumors. Blasi, who once staunchly defended Totti against media speculation, confessed, "I always trusted him and insisted the press was lying. I’d be insane to say that if I knew it was true." But by June 2022, she began piecing things together when her daughter mentioned meeting new friends—Noemi Bocchi’s children.

Following this, Blasi hired a private investigator, a move Totti was aware of when he found “bugs” in his car. However, private investigator Ezio Denti clarified to Corriere dello Sport that "bugs" can only be placed by law enforcement and that private investigators usually rely on GPS trackers on the vehicle's exterior. "That’s how it was in Totti’s case," Denti said.

Denti further disclosed, "Totti found a message on his wife’s phone reading: ‘We’ve arrived. I’ll wait for you at the hotel.’ That message was actually from me, related to a professional meeting with Ilary."

Totti’s relationship with Noemi Bocchi, a woman who strikingly resembles Blasi, appears to continue strong, with paparazzi recently capturing them together in Miami. Denti observed, "It’s common for someone to be unfaithful with a person who resembles their spouse. In Totti’s case, I believe he’s still in love with Ilary. He may have started a new relationship because he sensed something was broken with her."

As rumors swirled, Totti initially denied everything, but eventually, the couple issued official statements about their separation. When asked if she believed Totti had been involved with other women, Blasi responded, "I only realized it when people in Rome started asking me, ‘Didn’t you know?’ No, I didn’t. I never had concrete proof. I never saw photos, messages, or heard anything. But now, I believe there were others, though I lack evidence."

In a candid interview, Totti explained the difficulties he faced around the time of his father’s passing from COVID-19 in October 2020. "I went through a tough period, first because I retired from football, and then I lost my father. I also had strong COVID symptoms for 15 days. Despite all of this, my wife wasn’t there when I needed her most," Totti stated. "It's untrue that I cheated first. I said I wouldn’t discuss this, but I’ve seen so many lies lately, some of which affected my children. In September last year, rumors started reaching me, with people I trust telling me, ‘Listen, Ilary has someone else. In fact, more than one.’ For 20 years, I never doubted her, nor she me. But when I began hearing these things, I looked at her phone and found out about a third person acting as an intermediary between us."

This revelation pushed Totti into a depressive state, a time he describes as feeling "like someone else entirely." Despite everything, Totti is grateful for Noemi’s support. "I feared our separation would end up in court, but I still hope we can reach an agreement. For six months, I stayed silent. I’d much rather talk about football and Roma, which will always be in my heart," he shared in September 2022.

Initially, Blasi refrained from commenting, expressing through her lawyer that her only wish was to protect their children. But later, she admitted, "I discovered things that could destroy 50 families."