El Shaarawy bids emotional farewell to Olimpico after derby

Gianluca Mancini will receive the Career Prize at the 41st edition of the Trofeo Maestrelli on May 25 in Montecatini. The Roma defender is enjoying a standout season, highlighted by a crucial double in the derby against Lazio on the previous Sunday. The award recognizes his performances and continued growth as a player. Mancini is one of several honorees at the prestigious Italian football awards ceremony. Italy's national team coach Silvio Baldini and Fiorentina manager Paolo Vanoli will also receive Career Prizes. Additional recipients include managers from other Serie A and lower-division clubs: Alvini (Frosinone), Calabro (Carrarese), and Bucchi (Arezzo). Venice's promotion back to Serie A will be marked by awards to operational director Rogg and sporting director Antonelli. Other honorees include Grosseto president Lamioni and Ferrieri Caputi, named Europe's best female referee.

A French striker at AS Roma has been named among 100 under-21 players in contention for the Golden Boy 2026 award. The prize, established by Tuttosport in 2003, recognizes the best young footballer in Europe. Roma's representative arrived at the club last summer from Marseille. The candidate list includes only four Italian players: Reggiani and Inacio (both at Borussia Dortmund), Camarda (Milan, now on loan at Lecce), and Ahanor (Atalanta). Beyond Roma's French attacker, one other foreign player competing in Serie A made the shortlist—Britschgi of Parma. The wider list features prominent young talents including Yamal, Estevao, Zaire-Emery, Alajbegovic (a Bosnian prospect linked with Roma), Mbappé's brother, and Dowman among others. The Golden Boy award has been a prestigious recognition for emerging talent since its inception, typically generating significant attention in European football circles as it identifies players on the cusp of breakthrough seasons at club and international level.

Marquinhos, PSG's Brazilian defender and captain, has spoken about his ongoing affection for AS Roma, where he played during the 2012–13 season before moving to Paris. In an interview with Sky Sport ahead of the Champions League final against Arsenal, Marquinhos confirmed his continued interest in the club: "Always, I follow Roma always. There is Wesley, who is playing and playing really well. He will also come to the national team with us and it always makes me happy to accompany them." Wesley, Roma's current defender, has impressed Marquinhos during their interactions at international level. The PSG captain's remarks highlight his enduring connection to the Giallorossi despite spending over a decade elsewhere. Marquinhos also discussed his time with Carlo Ancelotti's coaching staff, noting that Italian speakers are present in the setup and expressing his hope that Italian fans might support Ancelotti's team at the World Cup. He expressed disappointment at Italy's failure to qualify for the tournament, calling it "a historic national team and a shame."

AS Roma faces significant disciplinary consequences following the heated Derby della Capitale in Serie A's 37th round. The Sports Judge handed Wesley a one-match suspension for an incident in the second half, ruling him out of Roma's final fixture at Hellas Verona. The Brazilian winger was also fined €10,000 after striking an opponent in the face without causing injury. Nicolò Rovella received identical punishment—one-game ban and €10,000 fine—for his involvement in the same confrontation. The disciplinary blow extends beyond Wesley's absence. Two Roma players entered the warned list following the derby: Mario Hermoso received his ninth yellow card of the season, while Stephan El Shaarawy collected his fourth. Both now join Gianluca Mancini on Roma's caution list, meaning any further booking at Verona would trigger automatic suspension. This creates a significant strategic challenge for head coach Gian Piero Gasperini as Roma prepares for what is described as a crucial final match of the campaign. The disciplinary situation also carries implications for potential sanctions carrying into the next season. The Sports Judge Gerardo Mastrandrea issued the official decisions following the intense encounter.

Paulo Dybala's contract renewal with AS Roma has been postponed by approximately one week. The Friedkin Group requested the delay to allow the club to focus fully on securing Champions League qualification, which would significantly impact the financial resources available for the negotiation. Dybala's agent Carlos Novel visited Rome over the weekend and attended the derby, but did not meet with ownership; dialogue with Ryan Friedkin is continuing via messaging for the time being. Dybala remains committed to staying at Roma, though he reportedly expected more concrete moves from the club earlier. The proposed salary ceiling remains around €3 million annually, with Champions League qualification potentially altering the club's negotiating position. The squad has been affected by recent departures, with players reportedly surprised by the abrupt exit of El Shaarawy. There is an expectation within the dressing room that greater ownership involvement should become standard rather than exceptional. Gasperini acknowledged the renewal situation positively, noting it is encouraging that both parties share the same intentions. For the upcoming final match, Roma will be without Ndicka, while the availability of Koné and Pellegrini remains uncertain as the team seeks to secure Champions League football.

The article reflects on Stephan El Shaarawy's departure from AS Roma, framing it as a significant moment in the club's history. Drawing on a Byron quote about farewells, the piece explores the emotional weight of El Shaarawy's exit and its place in Roma's narrative. El Shaarawy spent multiple spells at the club and became a fan favorite during his time in the Giallorossi. The article examines how his journey at Roma—marked by moments of brilliance and connection with supporters—represents a chapter closing in the club's ongoing story. Details of the circumstances surrounding his final departure remain unclear from the excerpt provided.