Castro savours unforgettable Argentina debut and looks forward to meeting Messi

Mario Hermoso is moving closer to a contract renewal with Roma. The Spanish defender has established himself as a linchpin under Gian Piero Gasperini, demonstrating strong adaptation to the coach's tactical system. The club's management is now turning its attention to his future, with talks and negotiations set to begin in the coming weeks. Hermoso would prefer a two-year extension that would take his contract through to 2029. Roma's policy for players over 30, however, typically involves annual renewals. Both the player and the club are keen to continue together, though the length of any new deal remains to be settled in forthcoming discussions.

AS Roma are already working on extending Mario Hermoso's contract, as the Spanish defender has established himself as a key figure both on the pitch and in the dressing room under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. Hermoso embodies what Gasperini has called the team's defensive 'gladiators', a core element of the coach's tactical approach. Hermoso's current deal includes an automatic extension that was triggered in June and is set to expire in 2027. However, Roma are keen to keep the defender at the club beyond that date and have initiated fresh negotiations with his representatives to secure his long-term future at the Stadio Olimpico.

Porto president André Villas-Boas has praised Rodrigo Mora following the midfielder's move to Roma, expressing confidence that the 19-year-old will flourish at the club. Mora left Porto after competition for playing time limited his minutes, but Villas-Boas believes Roma made a decisive effort to secure him and that he possesses exceptional technical qualities. "He will find his space and enchant Roma, I am sure of it. He has personality and technical qualities that are uncommon, and he wants to have a great career," Villas-Boas said. The investment in Mora was significant for a player of his age. Villas-Boas acknowledged that while Mora was an idol for Porto's supporters and a gem of their academy, the squad's competitive depth meant his minutes fell short of his ambitions, prompting the club to listen to offers. Villas-Boas, now serving as Porto's president rather than coach, is confident that Gasperini's tactical instruction will be crucial to Mora's development. "I think he is technically a talent among the best in circulation, and in the future, with the tactical work of a master like Gasp, he can become a world-class top," Villas-Boas stated. On Mora's physical profile, he added: "Well, he cannot become 1.80 metres tall. And if you speak of muscles I would say no—he already has enough quality in his feet."

Matías Soulé and Santiago Castro made their official Argentina debuts in a 7–0 victory over Burkina Faso, with Leonardo Balerdi also featuring for the Albiceleste. All three Roma players came off the bench in the second half: Soulé and Balerdi were substituted on at the 46th minute when Argentina already led 5–0, while Castro replaced Lautaro Martínez at the 69th minute. The goals came from Lautaro Martínez (two), Prestianni, Nico Paz, Julián Álvarez, Mastantuono and Giuliano Simeone. For Castro, the Roma number 9, the appearance held particular significance as his first senior international cap. He marked the occasion with a post on Instagram celebrating the milestone, writing: "There are moments that stay with you forever, and today I had the chance to live one. Wearing this shirt for the first time and representing my country is a pride difficult to explain. Thank you to everyone who accompanied me on this journey. As a child I dreamed of this moment, and today I can say it came true. An unforgettable day. May it be the first of many." For Soulé, the appearance was equally momentous—a first senior call-up and debut for Argentina after joining Roma in summer 2024. Balerdi, who arrived at the club in the same window, continues to develop his international presence alongside his club commitments.

Matías Soulé and Santiago Castro made their senior Argentina debuts in a commanding 7-0 victory over Burkina Faso at the Monumental, with Leonardo Balerdi also featuring in the second half. Argentina had already settled the contest by half-time, leading 5-0. Lautaro Martínez, Gianluca Prestianni, Nico Paz, Julián Álvarez, Franco Mastantuono and Giuliano Simeone scored, along with an own goal from Moumouni Diallo. Coach Lionel Scaloni used the second period to rotate his squad. Soulé and Balerdi entered immediately after the interval, while Castro came on in place of Lautaro Martínez in the 69th minute. Soulé played 45 minutes in his debut, Castro featured for just over 20 minutes and struck the woodwork late in the match, while Balerdi completed the full second half in a fixture where Argentina's defence faced minimal pressure. Burkina Faso fielded a largely Under-23 side following logistical chaos that engulfed their senior team. A charter flight organised from Morocco suffered a technical fault, forcing the federation to arrange their youth squad's late replacement. The African delegation arrived in Buenos Aires just five hours before kick-off after nearly 12 hours of travel. For Roma, the significance lies in Soulé and Castro's successful debuts with the Selección, and Balerdi adding a further 45 minutes at national team level. Argentina's next match will be against Benin, an occasion marking Lionel Messi's farewell to international football.

Argentina defeated Burkina Faso 7–0 in a friendly on 4 October, with Santiago Castro and Matías Soulé both making their national team debuts. Castro entered the pitch at 69 minutes in place of Lautaro Martinez, while Soulé, the 2003-born winger and former Juventus player, came on at half-time. Leonardo Balerdi also featured, coming on between the first and second halves. No Roma players scored in the match. Argentina's goals came from Lautaro Martinez, Prestianni, Nico Paz, Julián Álvarez, Mastantuono, and Giuliano Simeone, with an own goal completing the tally. Burkina Faso fielded an under-23 side. The fixture was marked by extraordinary circumstances. A scheduled flight from Morocco carrying Burkina Faso's full squad was cancelled due to an aircraft malfunction, leaving the players unwilling to make the journey given the exhaustion it would cause. To salvage the match, the Burkinabé federation dispatched its under-23 team via charter flight instead. The replacement squad arrived in Argentina just five hours before kickoff, giving them barely time to complete bureaucratic procedures, check into their hotel, and travel to the Monumental stadium. The total journey took just under 12 hours.