The Roma captain grabbed two goals and even missed a penalty as he took his tally for the season to 26 to become the "capocannoniere", also moving ahead of Heerenveen's Afonso Alves in the race for the European award.

However, all credit in the match must go to Messina, who despite already being relegated and having nothing but pride to play for, put in a strong display to give outgoing coach Bruno Bolchi a fitting send-off.

In the 67-year-old's last game in charge, Christian Rigano put Messina in front, only for Totti and Mancini to hit back for Roma.

Rigano equalised in the second half, but Totti put Roma back in front before Nicolas Cordova once again drew Messina level.

With six minutes remaining Aleandro Rosi gave Roma the win, but Bolchi could have been proud of his players as they gave everything in what was essentially a meaningless game, with Roma already guaranteed second place.

Totti was already virtually assured of the Serie Golden Boot before the game, but he looked a man possessed as he set about getting the two goals to take him above Alves.

He nearly got the first early on, but his ambitious lob flew narrowly over the bar.

However, with 10 minutes gone, Messina took a surprise lead as Rigano beat the Roma offside trap and rounded Gianluca Curci to grab his 18th goal of the season.

That lead only lasted a minute, as Totti picked the ball up on the right side of the box and arrowed a powerful drive past Alessandro Cesaretti.

Cesaretti had no chance with Totti's strike, but he will have been angry with himself after getting caught out by Mancini in the 20th minute.

After spotting Cesaretti out of position, Mancini produced a fine lob to put the home side in front for the first time.

In his last half-time team-talk, Bolchi must have fired up his side as they came out for the restart with renewed verve and desire.

And after 58 minutes they were level once again as Rigano latched onto Manolo Pestrin's fine pass and fired past Curci at the near post.

Five minutes later Rigano went from hero to villain as he fouled Totti in the area, only for the Roma captain to strike a weak penalty which was saved by Cesaretti.

However, Totti was not to be denied and with 73 minutes gone he was found by Simone Perotta's pass and made no mistake with another fine finish across Cesaretti.

Just as Roma thought they may have killed off Messina's challenge, Nicolas Cordova curled in a superb free-kick to draw them level two minutes later.

Once again they were not level for long and with six minutes left, substitute Rosi connected with Phillipe Mexes' acrobatic bicycle kick to head the winner.

ends