Lino Banfi recalls Roma visit and promises from Dybala
Club News·27 May 2026·1h ago

Lino Banfi recalls Roma visit and promises from Dybala

Source: Forza Roma

Italian actor and Roma supporter Lino Banfi, approaching 90 years old, shared memories of a visit to Roma's training ground at Trigoria, where he met current squad members. Banfi described encounters with Lorenzo Pellegrini and Gianluca Mancini, who were moved to meet him because they are fans of his television series Un medico in famiglia and called him by his character's name, Libero. He also noted that all the coaches call him "Mister" following his role in the film L'allenatore nel pallone.

Banfi was particularly struck by Paulo Dybala, whom he observed during an intense training session. According to Banfi, Dybala made him a promise: "Of urging my battle cry when he scores the next goal. I told him to go in front of the camera and shout: 'Porca puttena!'" Banfi explained that he wanted to make the same request to Donyell Malen but the player was not present.

Banfi also reflected on his long-standing connection to Roma, recounting how the city changed his life and how he became a supporter. He recalled his admiration for former player Falcao, calling him a close television guest and crediting him with introducing him to Pelé during a visit to Rome. Banfi humorously noted that Falcao once visited his home frequently and even attempted to court his daughter, prompting Banfi to act as intermediary in politely declining the advances.

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Testo Originale / Source Text

Machine-scraped Italian — paste into Google Translate for a full read.

Il noto attore, tifosissimo della Roma, racconta l'incontro a Trigoria con la squadra giallorossa: "Pellegrini e Mancini si sono quasi commossi perché sono grandi fan di Un medico in famiglia; infatti mi chiamavano Libero" Redazione 27 maggio - 10:02 Totti e Toni, il ballo dell'estate alle Maldive è tutto da ridere "Sono l'unico comico a essere riuscito a far ridere tre Papi, questa è la cosa che mi rende più orgoglioso". Parola di Lino Banfi che, alla soglia dei 90 anni, conserva ancora l'entusiasmo di un ragazzino e la verve dell’intramontabile Oronzo Canà. Per celebrare la qualificazione in Champions della sua amata Roma, l'attore pugliese (ma romanista d'adozione) ha aperto lo scrigno dei ricordi a 'La Gazzetta dello Sport'. Scegli tu cosa leggere: metti Forzaroma tra le tue fonti Google Lino, come mai lei è un tifoso giallorosso? "Roma mi ha cambiato la vita. È la città dove ho raggiunto il successo e mi sentivo di doverle dare qualcosa in cambio. Da giovanissimo accompagnavo i ragazzi in sedia a rotelle a vedere le partite allo stadio. Non avevo un soldo e avevo sempre fame, quindi, quando potevo, passavo dal bar del tennis lì vicino per farmi offrire un panino. Un giorno accompagnai un ragazzo laziale che però non volle pagarmi nulla: era agiato e voleva solo vedere la partita. La settimana seguente, invece, mi affidarono un romanista. Io, memore della volta precedente, lo portai subito verso lo stadio e lui: “Ao, ma che fai? Annamo al bar del tennis, se famo du’ matriciane!”. lo rimasi incredulo, e lui: “Se famo ‘anche ‘na cacio e pepe a mezzi, se vuoi”. Quasi mi commossi. Da quel giorno sono diventato romanista". Com'è andata? "Ho visto dei ragazzi fantastici. Pellegrini e Mancini si sono quasi commossi perché sono grandi fan di Un medico in famiglia; infatti mi chiamavano Libero (il nome del personaggio di Lino nella serie, ndr). Invece per il Gasp sono “Mister”: tutti i tecnici lo fanno, dopo L'allenatore nel pallone. Ma quello che mi ha colpito più di tutti è stato Dybala. Stava facendo un allenamento tremendo: correva sul posto con una cintura legata in vita e un ragazzo che lo teneva. Poi, quando mi ha visto, si è fermato, abbiamo scambiato due parole e mi ha fatto una promessa". Quale? "Di urlare il mio grido di battaglia quando segnerà il prossimo gol. Gli ho detto di andare davanti alla telecamera e urlare: “Porca puttena!”. Volevo chiederlo anche a Malen, ma non c’era". A quale calciatore del passato è più legato? "Direi Falcao. Era mio ospite fisso in televisione. Gli sono molto grato perché mi fece conoscere Pelé. Me lo presentò una volta che era in viaggio a Roma; ci provai a parlare, ma lui conversava solo in brasiliano stretto. Però abbiamo una foto tutti insieme che ho incorniciato e messo sulla mia scrivania". A proposito di Falcao, si diceva ci fosse un’altra simpatia in ballo... "L'ho ospitato tante volte a casa mia e ho rischiato anche di averlo come genero, perché ci provava con mia figlia! Poi lei mi chiese di dirgli che era fidanzata e non voleva saperne: fui io a dover fare l'ambasciatore". © RIPRODUZIONE RISERVATA Commenta Continua la lettura Commenti Invia Commento Tutti Leggi altri commenti

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