Malagò on Roma ties, Totti and his Lazio-linked picks for national youth teams

FIGC commissioner Giovanni Malagò has openly declared his allegiance to Roma, telling Il Messaggero that he will not hide his love for the club and that he has never been asked to take over the presidency by any shareholder or owner. Asked whether he would accept the Roma presidency given his family's ties to the club, he said: "Nessun azionista o proprietario me l'ha mai proposto. Me lo hanno chiesto spesso per strada, i giornalisti e gli amici. Apprezzo il nuovo corso della Roma. Ma ho sempre risposto di essere felice del mio percorso: prima al Coni, oggi in Federazione." Translated: no shareholder or owner has ever proposed it to him, though journalists and friends have often asked him in the street. He said he appreciates the new direction at Roma, but has always said he is happy with his own path, first at the Coni and today at the Federation. Malagò was also asked whether a call from Roma would make him leave the FIGC. He answered: "Assolutamente no. Per me c'è un principio sacro: portare a termine gli impegni assunti e mantenere la parola data." In English: absolutely not, for him there is a sacred principle, to see through the commitments undertaken and keep his word. The answer closes off any prospect of a move to Trigoria while he remains at the head of Italian football's governing body. On Francesco Totti, Malagò described him as one of the people he is most attached to, almost a relative. He declined to comment on Totti's relationship with Roma, but said he understands how difficult it is to accept a purely symbolic role. "In FIGC bisognerebbe proporgli qualcosa che rispecchi le sue capacità. Ci penso, mai dire mai." Translated: the FIGC would need to offer him something that reflects his abilities. I am thinking about it, never say never. Asked why, as a declared Roma supporter, he chose two Lazio icons, Ciro Immobile and Beppe Signori, for the national youth teams, Malagò defended his family history. His father sat on Roma's board and was vice-president three times, contributing to two Scudetti under Dino Viola and Franco Sensi. As a child he followed the team at the stadium. "Non rinnego la storia della mia famiglia... Trovo ipocrita farlo." He pointed to Prince William supporting Aston Villa and Barack Obama openly backing the Chicago Bulls. Many of his closest friends are Lazio fans, as is his partner Elena, but in an institutional role, he said, allegiances give way to impartiality. He called Immobile after he retired, calling him the greatest Italian striker of recent years, and said Signori had gone through a painful and unjust ordeal. "Tutte le grandi bandiere sono un patrimonio del nostro calcio."

Former Roma defender Vincent Candela turns 53 today, 24 October, and the club's official social media channels marked the occasion. The French player made 289 appearances for Roma. Roma posted on X: "Uno Scudetto e una Supercoppa Italiana, membro dell'Hall of Fame. Tanti auguri di buon compleanno!" Candela played in the capital between 1997 and 2005, winning the Scudetto and the Supercoppa Italiana during his time at the club and later being inducted into the Hall of Fame. He remained closely attached to the Giallorossi fanbase and chose to continue living in Rome after retiring. The club's post highlighted his Scudetto and Supercoppa Italiana triumphs and his place in the Hall of Fame, underlining the lasting affection between the former defender and the Roma supporters.

Giovanni Malagò, commissioner and president-designate of the Italian football federation (FIGC) and a declared Roma supporter, has said no shareholder or owner of the club has ever proposed him the Roma presidency, although he has often been asked about it by journalists and friends. Speaking in a long interview with Il Messaggero, he said he appreciates the new direction at Roma, but has always said he is happy with his career path: first at the Coni, and today at the Federation. Asked whether he would leave the FIGC if Roma called, Malagò was unequivocal: "Assolutely not. For me there is a sacred principle: fulfilling the commitments you have taken on and keeping your word." Asked whether he had considered a role for Francesco Totti with the national team, he said Totti is "one of the people I am most attached to, almost a family member." He declined to comment on Totti's relationship with Roma, but said he understands how difficult it is to accept a purely symbolic role, adding that the FIGC would have to offer him something that reflects his abilities. "I'll think about it, never say never." On his choice of two Lazio symbols, Ciro Immobile and Beppe Signori, for the youth national teams, Malagò said he does not deny his family's history. His father was a board member and then three times vice-president of Roma, contributing to two Serie A titles under Dino Viola and Franco Sensi. "As a child I followed him to the stadium: I don't see why I should hide my faith. I find it hypocritical to do so." He pointed to Prince William supporting Aston Villa in England and Barack Obama openly declaring his passion for the Chicago Bulls in the United States. He said many of his closest friends are Lazio fans, as is his partner Elena, but that when he takes on an institutional role, loyalties give way to impartiality. "I called Immobile as soon as he stopped playing: I consider him the greatest Italian striker of recent years. Signori went through a painful and unjust ordeal. All the great one-club legends are a heritage of our football."