Balerdi redemption story written: Roma have found Gasperini's perfect defender

Francesco Totti's path back to AS Roma is blocked by an unresolved financial dispute over the sale of shirts bearing his name and number 10, with negotiations between the club and the former captain's representatives having failed three times in recent months. The most recent talks took place less than a month ago, with the club represented by new chief executive Galantic, but resulted in further distance rather than progress. The core issue is not the allocation of the number 10 jersey itself, but money: since Totti retired from playing in 2018, Roma has continued to sell shirts with his name and number across the back, generating significant revenue without paying him any royalties. In the 2025–26 season alone, approximately 15,000 Totti shirts were sold. The cumulative figure from 2018 to now runs to several hundred thousand units. Before any agreement on Totti's future role within the organisation can be reached, this commercial dispute must be resolved. The club's recent rebranding decision to return to the traditional AS Roma crest has reignited discussion about welcoming back the legendary figure, but the financial disagreement over shirt sales remains the central obstacle. Without clarity on how past and future revenue from Totti merchandise will be handled, the club and the former number 10 have been unable to move forward.

Leonardo Balerdi has already won over the Roma dressing room since arriving from Marseille on a loan deal worth €1 million with a buy obligation structured around appearance thresholds. Roma had pursued the defender last season but Marseille's €30 million asking price proved prohibitive; the French club's subsequent financial difficulties allowed Trigoria to move decisively. The deal converts to a permanent transfer in June 2026, with the fee determined by Balerdi's playing time: €14 million if he plays at least 55% of matches as a starter, €11 million if between 40–55%, or €9 million if he reaches 20%. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is confident Balerdi will feature heavily for the remainder of the season, having already demonstrated his worth. Gasperini praised the Argentine's credentials in both defensive positioning and ball progression. "Leonardo is a captain; we knew the player's value well," the coach said, highlighting the personality Balerdi has already shown on the pitch. The impression at the club is that he will be a cornerstone of Roma's defence, combining physicality with the composure needed to build from the back—qualities rarely found in a single defender at this stage of a transfer window.

Santiago Castro is searching for his breakthrough at Roma after a subdued start to the 2026-27 season. The Argentina forward, signed this summer from Bologna for €36 million plus 10 per cent of any future resale, has managed just 105 minutes in Serie A and none in cup competition, with zero goals to his name. Donyell Malen, his rival for the forward position, has already scored six times in five league matches and has started every game in both Serie A and the Champions League. Castro knew when he agreed to join Roma that he would compete for a starting place against an elite talent. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has shown no interest in discussing a pecking order, but Malen has consistently been handed the opening lineup slot. Fortune has not favoured Castro either: he struck the woodwork twice in the match against Atalanta. His limited playing time has made it difficult to build momentum, though Gasperini and the club expect his opportunities to increase when the international break ends. Francesco Totti, the Roma legend, has publicly backed Castro and revealed a behind-the-scenes connection to the signing. In his book *Oltre*, Totti recounted a dinner meeting with Gasperini in March and explained his recommendation: "I suggested to him an attacker who was Santiago Castro, a winger and a midfielder, all foreigners. He thought for a moment, then said: 'The winger costs a lot, I hadn't thought about the midfielder and he wouldn't be bad, I really like the attacker. I think we see football the same way, as you did then.' I said: 'It's not about taste, boss. I based it on the philosophy of your teams, especially how you got Atalanta to play for so many years.'"

Leonardo Balerdi has already won over the Roma dressing room since arriving from Marseille on a loan deal worth €1 million with a buy obligation structured around appearance thresholds. Roma had pursued the defender last season but Marseille's €30 million asking price proved prohibitive; the French club's subsequent financial difficulties allowed Trigoria to move decisively. The deal converts to a permanent transfer in June 2026, with the fee determined by Balerdi's playing time: €14 million if he plays at least 55% of matches as a starter, €11 million if between 40–55%, or €9 million if he reaches 20%. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is confident Balerdi will feature heavily for the remainder of the season, having already demonstrated his worth. Gasperini praised the Argentine's credentials in both defensive positioning and ball progression. "Leonardo is a captain; we knew the player's value well," the coach said, highlighting the personality Balerdi has already shown on the pitch. The impression at the club is that he will be a cornerstone of Roma's defence, combining physicality with the composure needed to build from the back—qualities rarely found in a single defender at this stage of a transfer window.

Paulo Dybala and Nahuel Molina want to attend a farewell match for Lionel Messi with Argentina on 6 October, but the timing poses a logistical and sporting problem for Roma. The event is scheduled for 22:00 in Argentina, and factoring in travel, time zones and recovery, both players would not be available until 8 October. Roma face Como three days later on 11 October at 12:30 in a crucial fixture for the top of the league that also opens a demanding run of consecutive Serie A and Champions League matches. The question of whether the pair should travel has become one of the most delicate issues during Roma's current international break. Reports differ on where the resistance lies. According to Il Messaggero, head coach Gian Piero Gasperini gave approval for Dybala and Molina to depart, recognising the special significance of the occasion for two players who won the 2022 World Cup with Messi. However, Corriere dello Sport reports that the Friedkin family themselves have applied the brakes, judging the cost in fatigue, travel and recovery too high ahead of such an important match. No final decision has been made. The situation remains open, though the lean of opinion is currently towards preventing the trip. A definitive resolution is expected on Tuesday when training resumes at Trigoria, when the club, Gasperini and the players must weigh sporting demands against personal wishes and reach a shared conclusion. Meanwhile, other Argentina internationals will attend the Messi event regardless. Santiago Castro, Matías Soulé and Leonardo Balerdi are all on regular national team duty and will participate in the farewell ceremony, meaning they will be among the last national team players to return to Rome ahead of the Como fixture.

Paulo Dybala and Nahuel Molina face uncertainty over attending Lionel Messi's final Argentina match, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini having approved the trip but the club moving toward blocking it. The two Argentine players, not called up for Argentina's opening international break friendlies, were invited to the farewell friendly against Benin on 6 October at the Monumental in Buenos Aires. Both would not return to Italy until 8 October, leaving only three days before Roma's away fixture against Como on 11 October—the start of a gruelling run of nine matches in 27 days. The decision will be made on Tuesday when training resumes at Trigoria. Santiago Castro, Matías Soulé and Leonardo Balerdi will definitely return, as all three have been called up and are the last to arrive back in Italy.