Franco Sensi, one of the greatest presidents in AS Roma's history, would have turned 100 today. Born in Rome, Sensi steered the club to their third Serie A title in the 2000–01 season following an ambitious transfer campaign that brought Gabriel Omar Batistuta, Emerson and Walter Samuel to the Stadio Olimpico. His daughter Rosella Sensi, who later served as Roma president, paid tribute to her father on social media on the centenary of his birth.
In her statement, Rosella honoured Sensi as both a father and businessman, describing him as a man defined by a strong sense of responsibility, deep faith, determination and unwavering dedication to his values. She emphasised his role as a family man who showed affection through presence and daily gestures, while noting that professional work occupied a fundamental part of his life—pursued not merely as responsibility but as a mission carried out with discipline, consistency and total commitment. Sensi was remembered for his generosity and willingness to help others.
Rosella highlighted her father's defining characteristic: an ability to look always toward the future and confront challenges with courage, conviction and willingness to take risks. She credited this spirit with enabling him to achieve significant results and overcome the inevitable difficulties of entrepreneurial endeavour. The historic 2000–01 scudetto stands as an expression of his determination to pursue ambitious objectives with confidence in his convictions. In remembering him today, the family wished to honour a man who left his mark through work, character and the strength of his beliefs—an example that continues to speak to future generations.
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AS Roma fans today honour Franco Sensi, the club's legendary president who would have turned 100. Sensi took the helm in 1993 and oversaw Roma's most transformative era, culminating in the Serie A title on 17 June 2001. Born in 1926, Sensi grew up watching Roma in Testaccio before becoming instrumental in acquiring the club alongside other Roman businessmen. His presidency lasted nearly 16 years and fundamentally reshaped the Giallorossi through ambitious recruitment and unwavering conviction. In 2000, Sensi signed Gabriel Omar Batistuta to complete a squad already featuring Emerson and Walter Samuel, a move that delivered the historic scudetto. His daughter Rosella Sensi, who later served as Roma president, paid tribute to her father on the centenary of his birth, honouring him as a man of strong character, deep faith, determination and mission-driven dedication. She emphasized his defining characteristic: the courage to face challenges, take risks and pursue ambitious objectives with unshakeable conviction. Sensi died in August 2008, having fulfilled his vow to leave Roma only in his coffin, leaving a legacy of character and achievement that continues to inspire future generations.
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Testo Originale / Source Text
“Uno dei più grandi presidenti della storia della Roma è stato Franco Sensi. Nato nella Capitale 100 anni fa, ha vinto uno scudetto nel 2001 dopo una campagna acquisti faraonica con l’arrivo, tra gli altri, di Gabriel Omar Batistuta, Emerson e Walter Samuel. Oggi sarebbe stato il centenario della…”
Read the full article in Italian at Roma News.
