England coach Fabio Capello has hailed AS Roma captain Francesco Totti after the Italian maverick bagged a superb hat-trick against Bari at the weekend.

Totti marked his long-awaited comeback to the Giallorossi first-team with an awesome individual display against Bari at the Stadio Olimpico.

The 33 year-old 2006 World Cup winner netted a fantastic hat-trick as Claudio Ranieri's men run out 3-1 winners.

Roma's talisman scored a penalty, a free-kick and then a peach of a shot with his weaker left foot as he completed a sensational first-half hat-trick, earning him an inevitable standing ovation from the Roma faithful.

Capello, who worked with the five-time Italian Footballer of the Year during his five year stint as Roma boss between 1999-2004, was full of admiration for Giallorossi's iconic No.10.

"Only Gigi Riva could kick the ball like him in Italy," Capello told Italian newspaper Il Messaggero.

"But only with his left foot. Totti can use both feet and can hit the ball in several ways. Such champions can shoot ten times per match and eight of them are aimed on target, while five are very dangerous and can turn into a goal.

"Totti’s shooting qualities are unique and they will stay intact for life," he added.

Totti's weekend treble moves him up to the summit of the Capocannoniere chart with nine goals in just eight Serie A appearances this season as calls for his return with to Azzurri reach fever pitch.

Check out Totti's hat-trick for yourself: