Meet Nadette, an AS Roma super fan from Malta!

Despite living in Malta, you recently tweeted about your love for Roma. How did this passion start?

"I became a Romanista because of a single football player, who, through his legacy, has brought in many fans. This was when I was just 10 years old, watching the 2006 World Cup. My father has always been a fan of Italy – as are many Maltese people – and I decided to support them as well in this tournament.

We were watching Italy play Australia, and the camera zoomed on Francesco Totti’s eyes as he took the penalty at the 90th minute and took Italy to the next round. And that was it – from then on, I knew that I’d support whoever Totti played for. I watched Roma play Inter in the Supercoppa Italiana a few weeks later, and have never stopped watching since.

Since then, I’ve watched Roma triumph, caught a few heartbreaks, and recently watched the team triumph in the European Conference League after so much hard work – and I’m very proud of the whole team".

You mention getting the Legacy Collection shirt as a gift in the same tweet. What about this kit stood out to you?

"I happened to land in Rome on the day when the Legacy collection was launched, and I was immediately mesmerized by it. In fact, my boyfriend got me the shirt, with Tammy Abraham’s number on the back, as an anniversary gift. I was mostly enthralled by its green colour, but mostly for its badge, which changes from the previous logo to the iconic ASR logo. All in all, it’s such a clean, yet classic design".

Did you read about the inspiration behind that kit? Before that day, were you aware that Alba was one of the clubs that helped establish AS Roma in 1927?

"When the kit was launched, I read about the inspiration behind it, and I’ll be honest that I was not aware on how Alba had been essential for the establishment of AS Roma in 1927. In fact, it took me to researching a bit on the history of the club, to reconnect with the roots of the team I’m so in love with".

Which current Roma player do you most admire?

"Although I admire the whole Roma team, there is one player on the current team who stands out to me: Gianluca Mancini. Since he joined Roma, I’ve admired him for his passion for Roma: his perseverance on the pitch, the way he defends his teammates, and his immense love for the club, which was especially evident in last season’s derby and his goal against Juventus last month. I look forward to seeing him give more to Roma, and to see him achieve so much more".

And have you kept any former Roma players in your heart?

"Through the years, there have been many players who wore the Roma shirt and remained in my heart. I will, of course, always appreciate Francesco Totti, since it was through him that I became a Romanista in the first place. He gave so much to Roma, and I was one of the many people who cried their hearts out when he retired six years ago.

I’ve also kept Daniele De Rossi in my heart – he’s yet another Roma legend who dedicated his life to the club he loved so much. I will also always remember Radja Nainggolan – not Roman by blood, but he really was through his heart. I will always cherish what these three have given to the club I love so much".