Koné shines in World Cup debut for France, dominates on pitch and in press conference

Giovanni Malagò, newly elected president of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) and former head of the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI), addressed his lifelong support for AS Roma during his first press conference in the role. When asked about his passion for the club, Malagò stated: "There is nothing worse than denying your own past, especially if it's family. I was always institutional for 13 years as CONI president. It's impossible to say anything to me about that." Malagò rejected the notion that public figures should hide their football allegiances, drawing comparisons to prominent figures outside sport. He said: "Should I not celebrate in a certain way at the stadium? That's very provincial thinking. I don't watch Obama during Chicago Bulls victories... they're heads of state." He also referenced Prince William's public support for Aston Villa as an example of how people in positions of authority can openly express their sporting preferences. The FIGC president concluded his remarks by emphasizing that integrity matters more than allegiance: "Look at the royal family, with Prince William celebrating for Aston Villa. What's important is how you behave, but you must never deny who you are." During the same press conference, Malagò also confirmed that AS Roma's stadium project is proceeding on schedule.

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.