El Shaarawy reflects on Roma departure after derby win

AS Roma have officially confirmed a pre-season friendly against Newport County on 4 August at Rodney Parade stadium in Wales, with kickoff at 19:00 local time (20:00 Italy time). The match is managed by former Leicester manager Fuchs and represents Roma's second test in the United Kingdom during their summer schedule. Information for visiting supporters' tickets will be communicated in the coming days. The Newport County fixture slots into Roma's busy pre-season calendar as they prepare for the Serie A season opener against Fiorentina. The friendly comes after an earlier match against Cardiff on 1 August, followed by another game at Brighton on 8 August. After these English fixtures, Roma will face Borussia Dortmund on 15 August in their final warm-up before domestic competition resumes. These matches form part of the club's preparations under their summer training camp, with player fitness and tactical development a priority ahead of the new season.

Roma midfielder Manu Koné started for France in their Round of 16 World Cup match against Paraguay, replacing the injured Aurélien Tchouameni. Despite the absence of Real Madrid's midfielder, French media and supporters have praised Koné's solid display. France won 1–0 thanks to a Kylian Mbappé penalty, advancing to the quarter-finals while demonstrating resilience against a compact defensive opponent. Koné earned widespread acclaim for his performance across both defensive and attacking phases. Journalist Olivier Bossard of L'Équipe stated: "I am not concerned about Tchouameni's absence. I think Koné will be very good and hold firm. We are not losing quality—in fact, we may even improve with him, because we gain attacking options without losing anything in defence." The Roma midfielder recorded 88 touches, tied for the match high, and attempted three long-range shots while making continuous defensive interventions. RMC Sport named him man of the match, though some outlets such as Le Figaro highlighted technical errors in the first half. Deschamps' assistant Guy Stéphan described Koné as "a different type of player, one with quality and a different profile," emphasizing his ball recovery abilities and distribution. Koné was cautioned late in the match but demonstrated the work rate and versatility that satisfied French staff and supporters alike.

France advanced to the World Cup quarter-finals with a narrow 1–0 victory over Paraguay, secured by a penalty converted by Kylian Mbappé. The South American side proved a tough and physical opponent, but France maintained composure and achieved their objective. Midfielder Manu Koné was among those praised for his performance in a demanding match. Koné, who currently plays for AS Roma, delivered a composed display in midfield against Paraguay's aggressive approach. He spoke about the nature of the contest after the match, noting the physicality on display and the tactical awareness required to navigate it without being drawn into unnecessary confrontation. The midfielder highlighted France's preparation and intelligence in handling the situation. In his post-match comments to beIN Sports, Koné reflected: "It was a very hard match, but we are happy. Today we adapted. They were a rather... physical team! We choose our words carefully (smiles). We managed to stand up to our opponents in the challenges, we won 1–0, we were effective. There were some excessive interventions, but we didn't fall into their trap. The coach had warned us during the week. We were intelligent, we just wanted to win." France's disciplined approach proved decisive in securing progression to the next stage.

Stephan El Shaarawy is poised to join Saudi Arabian club Al Shabab on a two-year contract worth 10 million euros per season. The move comes shortly after the winger's wedding to Ludovica Pagani. El Shaarawy's departure represents a significant outflow from Roma's roster as the club navigates the summer transfer window. With El Shaarawy exiting, Roma is reportedly among clubs considering a move for Ivorian midfielder Franck Kessié, who is looking to leave Saudi Arabia's Al Ahli and return to European football. Juventus is also mentioned as a potential suitor. Kessié had been earning 14 million euros annually in Saudi Arabia and would accept a substantially reduced salary to rejoin Serie A. The possibility of Kessié's arrival suggests Roma is reshaping its midfield options ahead of the new season. Details regarding the timeline and final terms of negotiations for both players remain unclear.

Sergio Oliveira, the Portuguese midfielder who left Roma, returned to the city to attend the wedding of El Shaarawy and Ludovica Pagani. At the celebration, Oliveira reconnected with former teammates Lorenzo Pellegrini, Bryan Cristante, and Gianluca Mancini—players with whom he won the UEFA Europa Conference League in 2022. Oliveira shared his reflections on social media about his time at Roma, saying: "Roma is special. It has brought me so much. Not only sporting moments but mainly fantastic people. I am very happy to be here on this beautiful day, a truly special moment for my friend Ste. Even though we spent little time together, when you share the same values it becomes easy to understand each other and lend a hand. Thank you to you all and I wish you a life full of happiness." The post underscores the bond formed during the Giallorossi's successful European campaign and the lasting relationships built within the club. The wedding also included attendance from other Roma-connected figures, with details of their presence marking another chapter in the club's recent history of trophy success.

Stephan El Shaarawy married Ludovica Pagani at Villa Aldobrandini near Frascati, with a significant Roma contingent in attendance. Current Roma players Gianluca Mancini, Bryan Cristante, and Lorenzo Pellegrini were among the guests, joined by former Roma midfielder Sergio Oliveira, who was visiting Rome for the occasion. Gollini also attended the celebration. A photograph posted on social media showed Oliveira and Pellegrini together, featuring emoji of a yellow heart, red heart, and the Roma wolf symbol. The reunion held special significance for several attendees. Mancini, Cristante, Oliveira, and Pellegrini all shared a memorable experience in 2022 when they won the UEFA Europa Conference League in Tirana. The wedding brought together members of that historic squad to celebrate El Shaarawy's marriage to the Bergamo-based DJ and influencer. The gathering highlighted the close bonds that persist among Roma's players and former squad members. El Shaarawy, nicknamed "the Pharaoh," has been part of Roma's recent history, and the presence of current players underscored the team's tight-knit culture.