A signed Roma shirt for Olivia

Olivia, 7, has seen her story travel the country over the past month. She just wanted to play football for a local club in Rome but, initially at least, the club she wanted to sign on with would not accept her.

Olivia continued her push for inclusion, however, and subsequently they reconsidered – and now young girls can also sign up for the club, with activities starting in the new year.

"Finally I will be able to show everyone how good I am," Olivia said, after being told the news.

In sympathy with her story, women’s football in Italy has rushed to her side. Olivia has been invited to meet the national team at Coverciano, while now Roma have offered their support – sending her a signed shirt, with the attached dream that perhaps one day she might also wear it in Serie A.

And it seems like Olivia doesn’t want to take it off...