← All stories
From Totti's training ground to police work: Alessandro Simonetta's unexpected digital legend status
·10 June 2026·117d ago

From Totti's training ground to police work: Alessandro Simonetta's unexpected digital legend status

Source: Forza Roma

Alessandro Simonetta, now 40 and an assistant chief with the Prison Police, discovered he had become a legendary digital footballer without knowing it. A Facebook post seeking help to restore an old photo from his Roma youth days sparked hundreds of nostalgic comments — but most were directed at his alter ego in the football management simulation game Football Manager, where he had been coded as a high-potential, low-cost striker despite never actually playing in the game. Simonetta only learned of this phenomenon during the Covid lockdown, years after the game was released.

Simonetta trained with Francesco Totti and Daniele De Rossi during his time in Roma's youth academy and travelled to America with the first team under Fabio Capello. He was called into a Champions League squad by Bruno Conti when still at school and found himself on the bench against Real Madrid. A serious leg fracture ended his pathway to professionalism, and he eventually left football for a career in law enforcement. He recalled his time at Roma: "I was 17 or 18 years old, we were in America with the team. I still remember those days." He also remembered De Rossi's kindness: when his boots broke, De Rossi brought him a replacement pair the next day. Today, Simonetta works with prisoners and describes the role as "difficult but rich in satisfaction," a far cry from the digital stardom he never sought.

● AI Generated Summary

This summary was generated by an AI model. Always read the source for complete and accurate information.

Testo Originale / Source Text

“Alcuni ricordi rimasti per anni in un cassetto, sono tornati a galla grazie ad una foto Redazione 10 giugno - 17:29 Totti-show in Turchia: prima lo scherzo a una turista, poi l'inganno dal gelataio Facebook può ancora regalare sorprese. Dato per social superato, è in realtà ancora capace di far…”

Read the full article in Italian at Forza Roma.

Read original on Forza Roma →

More Club News

Gasperini seeks closer Friedkin presence at Roma; Mora among Golden Boy nominees; Endrick still in sights
Club NewsTransfer News● AI
3h ago

Gasperini seeks closer Friedkin presence at Roma; Mora among Golden Boy nominees; Endrick still in sights

Gian Piero Gasperini has revealed he feels consistent backing from the Friedkin Group but wants to see them more engaged with Roma. In an interview with Sky Sport, the coach said: "I always feel their trust and support even though they come to Rome very little. Now they have put in Galantic who certainly makes a tighter connection between Roma and them. My objective remains clear: to get them more involved, not for me but for them and for the fans." Gasperini was discussing his experience at the club while unveiling a new wine label called "3-4-3" produced in Piedmont at Cascina Gilli in Castelnuovo Don Bosco (Asti). Roma continue to pursue Endrick as an attacking reinforcement. Director Tony D'Amico has reopened decisive contact with the entourage of the Brazilian Real Madrid forward during the international break, testing the 2006-born talent's willingness to move to the capital. Endrick has signalled openness to a Roma transfer, though Milan remain strong competitors. His season at Madrid under Mourinho has been complicated, featuring limited appearances and an injury that has hampered his output—a situation pushing him to explore new opportunities for regular playing time. Midfielder Rodrigo Mora has been included in the final 25-man shortlist for the Golden Boy 2026 award, football's annual prize for the best European player under 21. Mora received his place via a wild card alongside Mastantuono, Gadou, Kostoulas and Espart. The honour, created in 2003 by Tuttosport, recognises emerging talent from across Europe's top divisions. Meanwhile, Bryan Cristante's recovery timeline has extended. According to radio commentary, the midfielder sustained a collateral ligament injury, with rehabilitation expected to take approximately one month—longer than initially anticipated. Roma's defence has been singled out as one of Serie A's strongest this season.

Rodrigo Mora Named in Golden Boy 2026 Shortlist via Wild-Card
Squad NewsClub News● AI
4h ago

Rodrigo Mora Named in Golden Boy 2026 Shortlist via Wild-Card

Rodrigo Mora has been included in the 25-finalist shortlist for the 2026 Golden Boy award, the prize created in 2003 by TuttoSport. The Portugal midfielder, who arrived at Roma this summer from Porto, earned his place in the final selection phase through a wild-card allocation. The 25 finalists were announced on 5 October at Villa Fürstenberg in Mestre. Mora's inclusion marks another milestone for the 2007-born talent, who is among the most promising young footballers in European football. The wild-card was also granted to Mastantuono of Fiorentina, Gadou of Borussia Dortmund, Kostoulas of Brighton and Espart of Barcelona.

Gasperini seeks closer Friedkin involvement ahead of Roma centenary
Press ConferenceClub News● AI
10h ago

Gasperini seeks closer Friedkin involvement ahead of Roma centenary

Gian Piero Gasperini spoke to Sky Sport from a vineyard in Castelnuovo Don Bosco, Asti, during the launch of his wine project "3-4-3"—named after the formation that has defined his career—and addressed multiple Roma themes including Bryan Cristante's recovery, the Friedkin family's engagement, and the summer transfer window. Gasperini expressed his desire to involve the Friedkin family more closely with the squad and supporters ahead of Roma's centenary. He acknowledged that the Percassi family, from his previous club, had maintained daily contact and a relationship extending beyond work, but with the Friedkins the dynamic differs. "I feel their trust and support even though they come to Rome very little," he said. "Now they have appointed Galantic, who certainly creates a tighter connection between Roma and them. My objective remains to involve them more—not for me, but for them and for the fans. To bring a closer relationship into the centenary is an objective." He praised the appointment of Galantic as a link between the club and ownership. On Cristante's fitness, Gasperini said: "He is recovering, it takes time. We will not be willing to risk anything. The objective is to recover him properly even if he were to miss one or two more matches." Regarding Koné and summer market rumours of a late departure, Gasperini explained: "We could not replace him in such a short time. It was not feasible. The market was long, arriving at very few hours before closure there were no timescales. These transfers bring the involvement of many people; I do not see how an operation like that could have been done. Personally I am happy. He will have the opportunity, and is already doing so, to increase his value." On the tight fixture list, Gasperini noted that five substitutions help manage the energy expenditure, and that injuries remain a constant risk in football. He praised Soulé's early-season form, noting he had recovered from pubalgia over the summer, and expressed happiness with Dybala's recent output: "He is a boy who when he takes the field does well. He was born with the ball at his feet. The fact of having to miss many matches made him sad. Now he is happy, he has enthusiasm, these are good milestones." Gasperini also reflected on his first season at Roma, calling it a major success to win the appreciation of supporters who initially viewed him as an opponent.

GialloRossi.netRead original →
Feedback