Malagò defends Roma fandom as new FIGC president

Gianluca Mancini expressed his excitement at Roma's qualification for next season's Champions League following the club's third-place finish in Serie A. Speaking at a charity tournament, the defender reflected on the achievement after years of falling short of European football's premier club competition. He said: "It's the crowning achievement of this group's work: expressing our football, arriving at a beautiful third place and being able to play Champions League next year. After the Verona match I immediately imagined the Champions League anthem I'll hear and all the stadiums we'll see. I'm very happy and can't wait to enjoy these feelings." Mancini also addressed his ongoing contract renewal negotiations with the club. He stated: "The negotiations are underway, I'm waiting. There are the people involved, my agent, myself and the club: we're talking and continuing to do so. I'm waiting for answers and we'll see what happens." The centre-back's remarks come as Roma continues discussions with key squad members over their long-term future at the Stadio Olimpico. Mancini additionally commented on Italy's absence from the current World Cup, expressing frustration at the national team's failure to qualify for a third consecutive tournament and suggesting the problem extends beyond youth development or coaching alone.

Roma midfielder Manu Koné has spoken about how the 2024 Paris Olympics transformed his career trajectory. The French midfielder, who is currently competing in the ongoing Copa América, granted an interview to Le Parisien in which he discussed his journey to prominence and the challenges he faced early on. Koné explained: "They changed my life, I was no longer considered a kid." The 2000-born midfielder acknowledged that his early years were complicated by his own personality and demeanor. He revealed moments of self-doubt during his development: "Without doubt because of my character. I was young, I was very discreet, sometimes even a bit cold. Sometimes I had the impression of not receiving what I deserved. At certain moments, I even asked myself if I wasn't overvaluing myself." Koné recounted a difficult period following a knee injury at Mönchengladbach, when major European clubs showed interest and media speculation linked him to top teams, only for that attention to disappear overnight. The midfielder's emergence at the Olympics marked a significant turning point, establishing him as one of Roma's key assets heading into the current transfer window.

Younés El Aynaoui, a former Moroccan tennis player and father of Roma midfielder Neil El Aynaoui, has given an interview to FIFA's official channels discussing his son's football career and mentality. Younés revealed that Neil initially showed more interest in tennis while the family lived in Barcelona, but discovered his true passion for football between ages 10 and 11, inspired by Barcelona's culture. His mother, who has close ties to AS Nancy, encouraged the switch. Younés noticed his son's potential when he began training at CREPS Nancy, displaying superior physical abilities and unwavering commitment. Younés described his contribution to Neil's development as an athlete, emphasizing discipline in diet, sleep, and injury prevention—habits learned from his own tennis background. He stressed that the family ensured football remained Neil's personal project rather than a parental dream. Walid Regragui, Morocco's coach, reportedly praised Neil's professionalism and work ethic, drawing a comparison between father and son. Younés said: "Logically, one should not change anything about one's daily routine. You shouldn't delude yourself into thinking you can do something sensational, because trying to do everything perfectly can generate tension. For Neil, the World Cup is there every day, every time he trains." Younés highlighted that Neil, though appearing shy and gentle, possesses a strong character and extraordinary football knowledge. He trains at the highest level regardless of tournament context, maintaining focus and avoiding overwork in the lead-up to major competitions.