De Rossi: “I belong to the Roma fans”

Here is some of what the Giallorossi captain told the publication.

“Do you know what it means to be a talisman for Roma? It means that you constantly bear a huge responsibility and you have no choice in that. In the past, when I had offers and when we were on the brink of collapse, or in periods when things weren’t going so well, I’d get a call but it wouldn’t be simply me responding, because I belong to Roma – by that I mean I’m property of the club and its fans. I, Daniele De Rossi, belong to the Roma fans. I belong to Roma’s history as Francesco [Totti] did, and it means you are no longer free to make decisions for your own professional good, because you represent something and someone. You would hurt the Roma supporters. Now I wouldn’t feel like a traitor if I left at the age of 35 to play for two years in America. I would have felt like a sh*t if I’d left to join another Italian team two years ago.”

What does Roma mean?

“I would need an hour and even that wouldn’t be enough. Everyone says to me: ‘You’re a fan.’ Yes, I am a Roma fan but I’m also a footballer. I cannot provide a definition. Roma could lose because of me and could win thanks to me. This is a huge responsibility. It’s something that weighs heavily on my shoulders. My love for the club is incredible and has grown over the years, despite the thousand times I’ve thought about telling everyone to f**k off.”

Have Roma bought too many new players? Have they sold too many? Do you need to build a connection?

“The connection is there. We’ve brought in a lot of players but they’re integrating well. This is a good group, which helps the new players, embraces them and welcomes them, in an unprompted and positive way. If it was up to me we’d keep all my team-mates, because I get attached to them and I’m always sad when one leaves. But then you have the ideas of the coach, the president and the sporting director, and all that needs to be combined. I can’t know all those things and perhaps I don’t need to. What I know is that we’ve got a group here; strong players have arrived, and we’ve got a good team.”

It’s been said that Robin Olsen is lacking confidence.

“That’s incorrect. I see a goalkeeper who’s doing his job. I don’t see any shortcomings in that department. The picture of us hugging is nothing unusual. It’s not about having to stick up for him – it was the first match of the season. Olsen reminds me of Kevin Strootman, who wanted to talk in Italian to us when he arrived, because it was important for him to communicate with us.”

In the Roma v Liverpool match, did your thoughts turn to Agostino Di Bartolomei?

“The story of Agostino Di Bartolomei and Liverpool is related to so many other things, of a sensitive nature. I wasn’t a fan while he was captain but he’s a captain that I since grew attached to, as an adult. As for the famous customised captain’s armband – I just wanted to do something simple and discreet, just like his armband was – straightforward and white over the top of the Roma shirt. When people suggested that I wear something – that’s what I wanted. If I hadn’t thrown it into the crowd, nobody would have realised. For two years I’ve had ‘Sei tu l’unica mia sposa’ (‘you are my only spouse’) written on it. [Pause] I wanted to call my son Agostino, but I had my turn when my daughter was born, so it was agreed that my wife would choose my son’s name. I suggested it but I like his name anyway. I would have called him Agostino De Rossi. Perhaps that would have been too much.”

Following news of Maria Sensi’s death, Daniele De Rossi wanted to share his memories.

“This news has filled my heart with sadness. Maria Sensi saw me grow up in Trigoria and over the years she never stopped showing her affection and support – she was a true fan. I send my heartfelt wishes to Rosella [Sensi] and to her sisters."