Family, former team-mates, young footballers and fans remember Agostino Di Bartolomei

A moment that warmed the hearts of everyone who participated in the sixth edition of the Agostino Di Bartolomei Tournament.

The event took place on 28 May in Trigoria, two days before the thirtieth anniversary of Ago’s passing, with the participation of Roma’s under-12 team, who won the tournament, and the clubs Pro Roma, Alba 1907 and Fortitudo.

Flags, banners and images of Ago were present in the stands by the pitch named after him. One of these was accompanied by his famous phrase “There are football fans and then there are Roma fans,” which is as relevant as ever, as demonstrated yesterday afternoon. “30 years on, thinking of you, it’s as if we can still hear him: ‘Let's get there with the flag... Agostino forever,’” read a banner hung on one of the fences at the stadium.

Emotion was visible in the eyes and faces of everyone present, from the young footballers to those who played with Di Bartolomei. From his first coach in the youth ranks, Gianfranco Murgia, to team-mates Francesco Cappelli, Michele De Nadai, Alberto Faccini, Luciano Giudo, Angelo Orazi, Guido Ugolotti, Giancarlo De Sisti, Franco Peccenini, who was with him during the Primavera years, as well as Giuseppe Cascini, Stefano D'Aversa, Valter Gamberoni, Romolo Santolamazza, Antonio Sellitri, Mario Varano and Ezio Sella.

A spontaneous round of applause erupted at the arrival of Luciano Tessari, former Roma goalkeeper, youth coach and first-team coach and historic assistant coach to Nils Liedholm. At the age of almost 96, Tessari did not want to miss the chance to pay tribute to the legendary Roma captain.

A spontaneous round of applause erupted at the arrival of Luciano Tessari, former Roma goalkeeper, youth coach and first-team coach and historic assistant coach to Nils Liedholm. At the age of almost 96, Tessari did not want to miss the chance to pay tribute to the legendary Roma captain.

“It’s a great feeling to be here,” said the club’s General Counsel, Lorenzo Vitali, during the awards ceremony, before sharing greetings from the Friedkin family and CEO Lina Souloukou. “I’d like to thank the Di Bartolomei family, our young footballers who fittingly honoured the tournament, our legends, the colleagues who put in a great effort to organise this and the extraordinary audience that confirmed once again the passion and love of the Roma people.”

During the ceremony, Bruno Conti, who shared success in the Primavera side and thefFirst team with Agostino, and is now an academy director, also spoke about his memories: “When I was very young, I was in Nettuno and was invited by a cousin to a five-a-side match. The night before, I couldn’t sleep because I knew Agostino Di Bartolomei would be there and the thought of playing with him excited me. 

The following year, Roma signed me and he welcomed me with open arms, giving me many pieces of advice. He was a great leader, a great man and a great captain. I thank the club for never forgetting him and I send my best wishes to the family.”

A big round of applause accompanied the greeting from Luca Di Bartolomei: “My thanks go out to the fans, who have never forgotten Agostino, to the club, his unforgettable team-mates, the boss Luciano Tessari, who has a special place in my heart and soul. Being with people who are so young at heart at 96 is wonderful. After these 30 years, I remember and learn so much from Agostino and from you all as well. 

Thank you for ensuring that something beautiful continues to arise from a tragedy. Agostino should be remembered as a serious person, not just for the last act of his life, but for that as well. There is a great need for empathy and affection today. Many of us can find ourselves in difficult situations, so listening and opening up our hearts is an important aspect of our everyday lives.”

Giancarlo De Sisti represented all his former team-mates: “I had the pleasure of training and playing with Agostino. With his silences and reflections, it was sometimes hard to understand that something important was beating in his heart. 

He was a wise man and a brilliant footballer. He had so much individual technique, fantastic positioning and a golden foot. He was a good lad who served his team-mates. He never spoke ill of anyone and always helped everyone. He should be placed among the football legends, not just at Roma but of all time.”

As the event wound down and everything began to be taken down, young footballers just kept innocently playing football in an image that Ago certainly would have liked.

Yesterday, today, always.

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