Malen chasing 36-goal record after outpacing Higuaín and Immobile through five games

Wesley holds the key to Roma's next leap forward. The Brazilian left-back, already one of Serie A's standout performers last season alongside Dimarco and Palestra despite playing out of position, has been sidelined by injury setbacks that have disrupted his momentum. In a pre-World Cup friendly against Egypt, Wesley suffered an injury that derailed his plans heading into September. Just as he returned to action with Roma, a right thigh muscle strain forced him back to the sidelines when called up by Brazil again. Last season Wesley played in a role not naturally his own, yet his performances were so effective that he climbed the hierarchy of the Brazilian national team. His durability was remarkable—he reached 69 appearances in a single season before the injury against Egypt halted his run. His absence has been felt as Roma, currently top of the league with Paulo Dybala in fine form and Donyell Malen consistently finding the net, have otherwise tightened their defence with Mile Svilar's assured keeping and the emerging quality of Manu Koné, who is now earning recognition at international level with France. Wesley finally stopped after an exhausting campaign of constant availability. He now has three weeks to recover fully, reconnect his physical condition and rediscover his best self. The timing of his return could be crucial: Roma remain just one player away from their ideal setup, and Wesley represents that final piece of the puzzle.

Donyell Malen has made a decisive start to the 2026–27 season, scoring six goals in Roma's first five matches—an average of 1.20 goals per game—and propelling the club to the top of Serie A. That scoring rate already exceeds the pace set by Gonzalo Higuaín and Ciro Immobile over their record-breaking campaigns, both of whom had managed four goals through the same stretch before finishing with 36 for the season. While keeping his focus on Roma's team objectives, Malen is not hiding his ambition to chase historic landmarks in Italian football. Beyond the league's all-time record, Malen has set his sights on Roma's own seasonal scoring leaderboard, currently led by Edin Džeko with 29 goals in 2016–17, followed by Volk, Guaita and Francesco Totti. Roma face Como in their next league match, looking to defend first place, though Malen is managing a minor knee injury at the club's training ground and taking precautions ahead of the resumption of fixtures. Off the pitch, Malen has demonstrated his attachment to Roma's fanbase. Together with his wife Delisha, he attended the Tre Fontane to watch Roma's women's team compete in the Champions League against Barcelona, where his presence generated enthusiasm and affection among supporters through photographs and autographs.

Paulo Dybala has accepted Roma's decision to keep him from travelling to Argentina for Lionel Messi's final international match on 6 October in Buenos Aires, a decision made by mutual agreement with the club. Nahuel Molina made the same choice. Both players, despite their affection for Messi and their shared World Cup victory in 2022, understood the club's reasoning: avoiding a long intercontinental trip for both just hours before Roma's double fixture against Como and Real Madrid. There is no controversy, and full focus remains on the Giallorossi. Dybala will have Gian Piero Gasperini's full attention throughout the week, with the aim of returning the Argentine to the scoresheet after his last goal on 18 January. His start to the 2026-27 season has been outstanding. He has been ever-present in the line-up, often decisive, and has created four assists—the best tally in Serie A. His physical recovery metrics also recall his Juventus form. During his four days of rest, Dybala trained in the gym to maintain his rhythm ahead of the encounter with Nicolò Paz. Paz, along with Balerdi, Soulé and Castro, will be available to face Roma just 48 hours after international duty. The 12-year age gap between Dybala and Paz represents a generational clash that does not trouble the Argentine, who is keen to demonstrate to national team coach Scaloni that his best years are far from finished.

Wesley holds the key to Roma's next leap forward. The Brazilian left-back, already one of Serie A's standout performers last season alongside Dimarco and Palestra despite playing out of position, has been sidelined by injury setbacks that have disrupted his momentum. In a pre-World Cup friendly against Egypt, Wesley suffered an injury that derailed his plans heading into September. Just as he returned to action with Roma, a right thigh muscle strain forced him back to the sidelines when called up by Brazil again. Last season Wesley played in a role not naturally his own, yet his performances were so effective that he climbed the hierarchy of the Brazilian national team. His durability was remarkable—he reached 69 appearances in a single season before the injury against Egypt halted his run. His absence has been felt as Roma, currently top of the league with Paulo Dybala in fine form and Donyell Malen consistently finding the net, have otherwise tightened their defence with Mile Svilar's assured keeping and the emerging quality of Manu Koné, who is now earning recognition at international level with France. Wesley finally stopped after an exhausting campaign of constant availability. He now has three weeks to recover fully, reconnect his physical condition and rediscover his best self. The timing of his return could be crucial: Roma remain just one player away from their ideal setup, and Wesley represents that final piece of the puzzle.

Donyell Malen has made a decisive start to the 2026–27 season, scoring six goals in Roma's first five matches—an average of 1.20 goals per game—and propelling the club to the top of Serie A. That scoring rate already exceeds the pace set by Gonzalo Higuaín and Ciro Immobile over their record-breaking campaigns, both of whom had managed four goals through the same stretch before finishing with 36 for the season. While keeping his focus on Roma's team objectives, Malen is not hiding his ambition to chase historic landmarks in Italian football. Beyond the league's all-time record, Malen has set his sights on Roma's own seasonal scoring leaderboard, currently led by Edin Džeko with 29 goals in 2016–17, followed by Volk, Guaita and Francesco Totti. Roma face Como in their next league match, looking to defend first place, though Malen is managing a minor knee injury at the club's training ground and taking precautions ahead of the resumption of fixtures. Off the pitch, Malen has demonstrated his attachment to Roma's fanbase. Together with his wife Delisha, he attended the Tre Fontane to watch Roma's women's team compete in the Champions League against Barcelona, where his presence generated enthusiasm and affection among supporters through photographs and autographs.

Donyell Malen was a special guest at the Stadio Tre Fontane on 30 September 2026, attending Roma Women's debut in the UEFA Women's Champions League against Barcelona. The Roma forward arrived with his partner Delisha and took a seat in the stands. When spotted by supporters, he stopped to sign autographs and pose for photographs with fans of all ages. Roma's social media captured his arrival at the stadium. Malen's presence at the fixture had a particular purpose: to watch his partner's sister, Silver Van Hetten, who has recently signed with Roma's women's youth academy (Primavera femminile). Van Hetten will train and compete alongside the Roma Women squad.