Lazio fans held up a banner in praise of Francesco Totti from his 'rivals of a lifetime' at the weekend. Matteo Ciambelli/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Diego Maradona has paid tribute to Francesco Totti, calling the legendary Roma captain "the best player I ever saw."

Totti, 40, will not be offered another playing contract by Roma and former Napoli star Maradona hailed his career in a post on Facebook.

"Francesco Totti is the king of Rome," he wrote. "He is and will be the best player I ever saw! #Respect"

Meanwhile, fans of Roma's biggest rivals Lazio paid tribute to Totti at the weekend, holding up a banner of congratulations from his "rivals of a lifetime" during their defeat to Inter Milan.

The gesture came a few weeks after AC Milan fans honoured Totti during their game against Roma at the San Siro.

Totti has yet to confirm whether he will retire as a player at the end of the season, with a six-year deal to be a Roma director awaiting him.

Meanwhile, Roma have successfully requested that their final game of the season against Genoa next Sunday is brought forward to 6 p.m. to enable celebrations of Totti's career to continue after the final whistle.

Napoli's game at Sampdoria will be played at the same time, with both clubs battling to finish second behind Juventus and avoid a playoff for a place in the Champions League next season. Roma need to match Napoli's result to ensure they seal second spot.