El Shaarawy departs Roma after 10 years; derby to be final appearance before fans

Reports from Argentina suggest Paulo Dybala will reject Roma's contract renewal offer in the coming days and announce his departure from the club via social media. According to Luis Fregossi, a director at MundoBocaRadio and MundoArgentinaRadio, the Argentine attacking midfielder has decided against extending his terms with the Giallorossi despite recent negotiations following Ryan Friedkin's arrival in Rome. The news marks a significant shift in Roma's off-season planning, as the club had appeared close to securing Dybala on a fresh deal. With The Friedkin Group actively discussing contract renewals for outgoing players, Dybala's refusal represents a notable loss of one of Roma's key creative talents. The 32-year-old has been an important figure in the team's attacking play during his time in the Italian capital. Dybala is expected to formally announce his exit through official social media channels in the coming days, though details of his next destination remain unclear. The departure would mark the end of another chapter in Roma's recent history and open up space in the squad for potential new arrivals.

AS Roma's ownership, the Friedkin Group, has made multiple attempts in recent days to convince Napoli to sell sporting director Giovanni Manna and bring him to the capital. However, Napoli president De Laurentiis remains unwilling to allow the departure of his sporting director, creating what is described as an almost insurmountable obstacle to the deal. Roma's search for a new sporting director has intensified following the imminent departure of Massara, with Manna identified as the Friedkin Group's preferred candidate. The pursuit of Manna underscores Roma's priority to strengthen their off-field structure. Despite the Friedkin Group's determination and repeated negotiation attempts, Napoli's resolute stance suggests movement on this front remains unlikely in the near term. De Laurentiis has given no indication of willingness to open discussions about Manna's future, and the club shows no signs of budging from their position. Updates on the situation are expected soon, though details on any potential alternative targets or timeline for resolution remain unclear.

Roma face SS Lazio in the Derby della Capitale on Sunday 17 May at Stadio Olimpico (kickoff 12:00), with referee Maresca in charge. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has his full squad available for the first time this season, with Lorenzo Pellegrini and Dovbyk recovered from injury; only Ferguson remains sidelined. Gasperini is expected to field the same eleven that started against Parma, with a potential choice between Pisilli and Soulé. The coach will address the media in a press conference on the eve of the match to clarify his final tactical decisions. In a significant development, El Shaarawy's departure from Roma was officially confirmed. The winger, who joined the club in January 2016 and spent the majority of the past decade in a giallorossi shirt—apart from a spell in China—announced his farewell through an emotional video and message to the club and supporters. The derby and an away trip to Verona will be his final two matches for Roma. The confirmation of his exit follows recent speculation about his future. Paulo Dybala's contract renewal remains an ongoing priority for the club, with general manager Sogliano handling negotiations. Former Roma midfielder Nicolò Zaniolo has also discussed his own departure from the club in recent comments.

El Shaarawy has announced his departure from AS Roma after a decade with the club. The Egyptian winger will play his final match in giallorossi colours in Sunday's derby against SS Lazio, with no contract renewal agreed. He released a video message to supporters and the club to mark the occasion, describing his time in Rome as transformative. El Shaarawy departs as a significant figure in recent Roma history. Over ten years (including a season in China and eight wearing the giallorossi shirt), he scored 65 goals and made 346 appearances, including being present for Francesco Totti's farewell, Daniele De Rossi's final match, and Roma's UEFA Europa Conference League triumph in Tirana. At the start of this season, he served as captain under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, who awards the armband based on playing time. In his farewell message, El Shaarawy reflected on his journey: "There are places that become home without you realising it. And then, one day, you realise it was so much more... it was people, emotions, life. For me, these 10 years have been all of this. I arrived here with dreams, ambitions and a desire to prove myself. I leave with a full heart. Full of memories, of shared battles, of immense joys but also difficult moments that made me grow, on and off the pitch." Sunday's derby will be his final appearance before the Roma faithful.

Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has key squad options returning to availability for Roma's upcoming fixtures, particularly the derby against Lazio. Lorenzo Pellegrini and Artem Dovbyk are among the players now available from the bench after periods of absence. Pellegrini, a specialist in derby matches, and Dovbyk, who can be deployed in late-game situations, represent important tactical resources for Gasperini as Roma enters its final two matches of the season. Gasperini has consistently emphasized the importance of squad depth and has previously noted how the unavailability of several players—including Dybala, Koné, El Shaarawy, Soulé, and Wesley—restricted his options throughout the campaign. The return of these players, particularly Pellegrini and Dovbyk, addresses a long-standing concern. Pellegrini, whose contract is set to expire, remains focused on delivering in what could be among his last matches for the club. In derby matches, Gasperini tends to favor experienced players of proven weight, making Dovbyk's availability significant despite other attacking options such as the younger Vaz also competing for minutes. At Parma, substitutes already played a decisive role, with Rensch notably contributing following Wesley's earlier unavailability due to gastroenteritis. Venturino and El Aynaoui were also among the impact players from the bench in that fixture.

Cristofori has commented positively on El Shaarawy, highlighting the player's consistent professionalism and exemplary behaviour. The remarks form part of a regular radio commentary feature. El Shaarawy, who has represented AS Roma, has been noted for maintaining high standards of conduct both on and off the pitch throughout his career. Details of the specific context or timing of these comments remain unclear from the available information.