Great Celebrations: Bruno Conti under the Curva Sud!

On 9 October 1983, Genoa visited the Stadio Olimpico. For Roma, the hosts (of course), it was an important match - with the reigning Serie A champions looking to make amends for their opening day defeat against Torino.

With the Scudetto badge on their shirts, Nils Liedholm's team did not want to risk starting the season with further embarrassement.

For over an hour, however, the team just could not find a way to break down the Genoa defence. That was, at least, until flying winger Bruno Conti took the game by the scruff of the net.

Finding Carlo Ancelotti with a smart backheel, the midfielder then passed it back to Conti - who ran into a central position before smashing a low shot from 25 yards out beyond the Genoa goalkeeper.

"Getting on my knees under the Curva Sud was my way of hugging everyone at once."

- Bruno Conti

Conti's joy was clear for all to see. The No. 7 ran directly for the Curva Sud - seemingly aiming for the banner in the middle that read "I ragazzi della Sud" ('The Boys of the Sud').

There, as some fans began to spring from the stands, the World Cup slid onto his knees and raised his arms to the sky.

As fans began to embrace him, it became a shared moment between the team and the supporters - celebrating together, in that frenzied way only football can create.

"One of those celebrations is still my WhatsApp profile picture now," Conti said.

"Getting on my knees under the Curva Sud was my way of hugging everyone at once.

"I would run and throw my arms to the sky to thank the fans for their unwavering support. I considered it a duty for those who, like me, grew up dreaming of wearing this shirt."

It was a celebration that Conti produced regularly, but not always. A win over Torino during the 1981-82 season was graced by an incredible volley from the No. 7, who was moved to deliver that celebration as a result.

There were others - perhaps most notably against Gothenburg (1984), against AC Milan (1985) and, in an emotional moment, at the end of his testimonial game in 1991.

It was enough, though, for the general move to become a part of the Conti lore.

A celebration uniting a beloved player with his fans.

"I would run and throw my arms to the sky to thank the fans for their unwavering support. I considered it a duty for those who, like me, grew up dreaming of wearing this shirt."

- Bruno Conti