Marten De Roon has joined AS Roma and is determined to move past a 2023 incident when he posted a photo with a middle-finger gesture and text mocking the club after Atalanta's victory over the giallorossi. The post drew controversy and a €2,500 fine. In his first interview at Trigoria, De Roon said he had not authorised publication of that post. "I always play around on social media, but on that occasion I overstepped the mark," he explained. "I didn't authorise that post against the giallorossi — it sounds like a lie but it's true. I'm very sorry." He pledged to prove himself on the pitch rather than through words: "Social media is one thing, I want to demonstrate on the field that I am someone who goes beyond that. I will give everything for the shirt and want to repay the trust with facts."
De Roon spent nine years at Atalanta under Gasperini, serving as captain, and the coach has now brought him to Roma. The midfielder is excited by his new surroundings. "I'm super happy, it's something very beautiful," he said of Trigoria. "Roma is a great club, the training ground is top level and I'm eager to begin." He is already familiar with the Olimpico but always faced it as an opponent. He relishes the prospect of Champions League football this season: "Last season Roma was in great form, the Olimpico is special, always full and impressive. The fans are very warm and this year we'll play against very strong teams in the Champions League, the atmosphere will be amazing. We must enjoy these evenings and try to achieve great results."
De Roon believes he can contribute immediately. He knows Bryan Cristante, Paulo Dybala and Gianluca Mancini from Serie A, and two fellow Dutch players are already at the club: Donyell Malen and Devyne Rensch. "I want to help because I know Gasperini's system very well. There are two Dutch lads: Malen and Rensch. I want to play my part and I've joined a very strong squad," he said. He acknowledged he must now earn the affection of Roma supporters who saw him as an enemy until recently: "Super happy to be here, I can't wait to play in front of you at the Olimpico. I hope to be welcomed in the right way. Daje Roma."
Story Coverage3 sources on this story
Marten De Roon joined AS Roma on 30 August as the club's sixth summer signing under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, following the arrival of Leonardo Balerdi. The Dutch midfielder spent nine years at his previous club under Gasperini, where he served as captain. In his first interview at Trigoria, De Roon addressed a controversial 2023 social media post in which he had appeared with a middle-finger gesture mocking Roma after Atalanta's victory over the giallorossi—an incident that drew a €2,500 fine. De Roon apologised to Roma supporters, claiming he had not authorised the post. "It sounds like a lie but it's true," he said. "I didn't authorise that post against the giallorossi. On that occasion I think I crossed the line. I'm very sorry." He stressed his determination to prove himself through performances rather than words: "I want to demonstrate on the field who I am: someone who goes beyond, who gives everything for the shirt. Now I have to repay this trust with facts."
De Roon expressed enthusiasm about joining Roma, praising the club's training facilities and the Olimpico's atmosphere. He highlighted his familiarity with several squad members including Bryan Cristante, Paulo Dybala and Gianluca Mancini from Serie A, and noted the presence of fellow Dutch players Donyell Malen and Devyne Rensch. On the prospect of Champions League football, he said: "The stadium is something special: always full and with very passionate fans. Playing against very strong teams in the Champions League will give us an amazing atmosphere." De Roon concluded with a direct appeal to supporters: "I hope to be welcomed in the right way. Daje Roma."
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Testo Originale / Source Text
“Dal dito medio al «Daje Roma». Di acqua sotto i ponti, tra Marten De Roon e i romanisti, ne è passata parecchia. Nel 2023, dopo una vittoria dell’Atalanta contro i giallorossi, sui suoi social comparve una foto di lui con il dito medio e la scritta «Quando le tue origini sono di Rotterdam e batti…”
Read the full article in Italian at Il Messaggero – Roma.