Roma World No.1: Brazil

In the first of a new series, asroma.com travels the world to find the fans who refuse to let distance dampen their love for the Giallorossi…

Name: Dener Anholetti Salles
Age: 19
City: Vila Velha
Country: Brazil

Where did you grow up?

“I grew up in state of Espirito Santo, Brazil.”

Why did you choose Roma?

“I first knew of Roma when I was playing Winning Eleven 2006, a video game when I was 10. I chose the club because of the fanatic crowd that sings the whole game – whether we are winning or losing. The fact that Roma had Francesco Totti and Daniele De Rossi, who were world champions during that same year, also very much influenced my decision.”

What is your first memory of Roma?

“My first real memory of Roma is the match against Lazio in 2010 when I was 14. Until then, I was not crazy about Roma - I just used to admire the team but that particular game changed everything. I was amazed with the saves of the Brazilian goalkeeper Julio Sergio. He had been incredible and stopped a penalty, which helped the team win 2-1. Since that day, I have been following every Roma match.”

Who was your first Roma hero and why?

“My first Roma hero was the goalkeeper Julio Sergio. As I used to play as a goalkeeper when I was young, I liked him a lot. He always gave everything in the field. Once, against Brescia, although he had been hurt, he stayed on the field, crying in pain, until the end of the match.”

Who has been your favourite Roma manager and why?

“Rudi Garcia. Although sometimes I do not agree with all of his decisions, in a short space of time, he brought a great stability to the team. This is something that the managers before him did not succeed to do.”

What has been your lowest point supporting Roma?

“My lowest point actually supporting Roma was without doubt the 7-1 defeat to Bayern on our home ground. That day must be deleted from my memory.”

Have you been to a Roma match?

“Unfortunately, I have not had an opportunity to travel to a Roma match yet because it is so expensive to fly from Brazil to Italy while I am still a student.”

Where were you when Roma last won the Scudetto?

“I was probably at home or somewhere with my mother. I was only four years old and had no idea what football was.”

Do Roma have a passionate fan base in the Brazilian city where you live in?

“Yes, there is a fan base in my city. I know about 15 Giallorossi in my city. One great meeting we had was when we watched the derby in January 2015. It was a memorable day and we sang a lot and in the end, we were thrilled with the two goals of our Capitano.”

Which team do you most enjoy seeing Roma beat?

“Lazio and Juventus.”

What makes Roma so special to you?

“One thing that distinguishes Roma to other teams is the passion of the supporters towards their idols and many of those idols are Brazilian players that have written a little of the history of the Eternal City. Every player who wears the Roma colours falls in love with this club. Roma is also one of the most ‘Brazilian teams’ from Europe and this is sensational. Falcão, Aldair, Cafú are only a few examples of great names of Roma history.”

What does Totti mean to you?

“Totti is my greatest idol and I have learned to love football watching his games. He has refused every transfer to keep playing in the team he loves - where he is happy - so he deserves every plaudit. It is really sad to think about a Roma team without him.”

Who is your favourite current player and why?

“My favourite currently player is Radja Nainggolan. He plays every match as if it was his last one. He is truly a ninja.”

If you could meet anyone connected to Roma - past or present - who would it be and why?

“I would like to meet Falcão, the King of Rome - because he is the greatest Brazilian player who has played for the club. It would be an honour to thank him for everything he did for AS Roma.”

What makes you most proud to be a Roma supporter?

“I am proud supporting a club that have players who are supporters too. They refuse the opportunity of more titles and money to keep playing for the team they love. Totti, De Rossi and Florenzi are fine examples of Rome citizens - Roma supporters and great players who have chosen to keep honouring our colours.”

Finally, what would be your perfect day as a Roma fan?

“My perfect day as a Roma fan would be to watch a victory against Lazio in our future stadium - if possible with a goal from our legend Totti. It would be incredible to watch and sing with the crowd ‘Un Capitano, ce solo un Capitano!’”

Click here to follow the official AS Roma Portuguese-language Twitter account @asroma_brasil.