Mora: 'I want to win with Roma'

Roma are using the international break to work away from the spotlight, with experienced midfielders Marten de Roon and Lorenzo Pellegrini among the senior figures remaining at Trigoria to strengthen their position in the pecking order ahead of the squad's return to action. The Giallorossi want to maintain their strong form when fixtures resume, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini central to Roma's resurgence both on and off the pitch. The club has returned to Champions League football for the first time in seven years, and the financial picture has improved alongside sporting progress. Gasperini has been instrumental in this turnaround, replicating the sustained success he achieved during his nine-year spell at Atalanta. Roma's squad is now valued approximately €150 million higher than it was a year ago, reflecting both the quality of recruitment and the effectiveness of the coaching environment. The improvement comes despite the competitive demands of the current season. The break gives Roma's players the chance to work in concentrated fashion on the training ground without the pressure of immediate fixtures, positioning the club well for the demanding schedule ahead.

Alessandro Romano, now a midfielder at Cagliari, has spoken about his development at Roma and praised fellow academy product Niccolò Pisilli for establishing himself in the first team. In an interview with Rai Sport, Romano discussed his path through Italian football after leaving the capital. "I grew a lot first at Roma and then at Spezia, where I had my experiences in Serie B," Romano said. "Now I'm at Cagliari, where I'm finding consistency, and I'm very happy about that. I also thank the manager. A lot has happened because if you gain experience and play a lot, you grow." Romano expressed satisfaction with Pisilli's progress in the Roma squad. "I'm happy for Pisilli, who has found playing time, even though it took him a little while," he added. Romano was called up to the senior national team by Roberto Mancini.

Roma are monitoring Georgian forward Kvernadze ahead of the January transfer window, with the club looking to fill an attacking vacancy that remained unfilled in the summer. Kvernadze has scored 5 goals and provided 2 assists across league and cup this season, building on strong performances in Serie B last year, displaying physical presence, aggression and execution speed. An unexpected advantage in any pursuit is already in place at Trigoria: Alessandro Frara, the former youth academy director who arrived this summer from Frosinone, is working closely with sporting director Tony D'Amico and head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. Frara will have already briefed both the director and the coach on every aspect of the player, covering both personal background and purely tactical considerations. The financial margins of any deal remain unclear at present, though Frosinone could be approaching safety or close to it if they lose Kvernadze in January.

Roma's squad has increased in value by approximately €150 million over the past year, driven by Gian Piero Gasperini's management since his appointment. The club has returned to the Champions League after a seven-year absence, and the upturn extends beyond the pitch into the club's finances. Gasperini, who built a successful nine-year project at Atalanta, is repeating that model at Roma, with improvements visible across every department of the squad. Mile Svilar arrived on a free transfer and remains unchanged in value as an integral goalkeeper, while Evan N'Dicka, also a free signing, is now valued at €35 million. Mario Hermoso has been transformed from a surplus player into a defensive cornerstone worth €15 million. Gianluca Mancini's value has climbed to €25 million, and Leonardo Balerdi, a recent arrival, has already proven his calibre and reclaimed his place in Argentina's squad. Wesley, signed last summer for €25 million, has attracted a €40 million offer from Chelsea that Roma rejected. Young prospect Emanuele Lulli exemplifies the club's emerging talents whose economic value is rising. Niccolò Pisilli, a Roma academy product who rejected potential summer moves, now commands €30 million. Manu Koné, the headline signing of the summer window, remained at the capital despite interest and is valued at €60 million according to Transfermarkt. Donyell Malen's worth has jumped from the €25 million Roma spent in January plus €2 million in loan fees to a current valuation of €50 million. With numerous young players in the squad—including Konstantinos Koulierakis, Rodrigo Mora, Daniele Ghilardi, and Matías Soulé—these valuations are expected to grow further if on-field performance remains strong.

Rodrigo Mora has spoken of his ambition to win silverware with Roma and deliver goals at the Stadio Olimpico following his summer arrival from Porto. The 2007-born playmaker, who scored against Lecce in his second match for the club, gave the interview to Canal 11 whilst with Portugal's U21 squad during qualification for the next European Championship. Mora reflected on the magnitude of his transfer after 19 years in Porto, where he spent 10 playing for the club's first team. "It was a different change. I lived 19 years in Porto and 10 I played for Porto. It is a different culture. But I am happy with the change. It will be a positive change," he said. He emphasized his desire to perform at the Olimpico: "I like to score very much. Scoring for Roma was beautiful, but I still want to score at the Stadio Olimpico. It is special and I cannot wait to score at the Stadio Olimpico. The atmosphere at the Stadio Olimpico is something truly special and beautiful and it makes you want to play and score for Roma." Mora praised Paulo Dybala as a crucial influence in his early weeks at the club. "He is someone I admired as a child, now being able to play and train with him...seeing the things he does, that few do...He is a humble person and has helped me a lot in this start at Roma. I like him as a player and as a person. I am grateful to be able to play at his side." On leaving Porto, Mora said: "Goodbyes are never easy. It was difficult. It was a long period, it was my home. It will always be my home. All cycles close, they can reopen later. I leave with my heart full, I was a champion with my club. I leave as a champion and will continue to be another fan of Porto, now cheering from Italy. I wish them good luck. I know things are going well, I hope they continue like that and that the second title arrives." Mora added that he wanted to perform well this season and win titles with Roma, having made his Champions League debut. "Now I want to have a good season at Roma. I made my Champions League debut, it was an important step. I hope to win titles at Roma and to play the best football possible," he said.

Rodrigo Mora has opened up on his first months at Roma since arriving from Porto in the summer, reflecting on the move to Italian football, his impact at the Olimpico and his relationship with Paulo Dybala. Speaking to Canal 11, the Portuguese midfielder discussed the significance of his new environment and his ambitions with the club. Mora left Porto after 10 years with the club, a move he described as difficult but necessary. "Gli addii non sono mai facili," he said. "È stato difficile. È stato un lungo periodo, era casa mia. Sarà sempre casa mia. Tutti i cicli si chiudono, possono riaprirsi più tardi. Me ne vado con il cuore pieno, sono stato un campione con il mio club. Me ne vado da campione e continuerò a essere un altro tifoso del Porto, ora tifando dall'Italia." He added: "Sapevo di aver bisogno di una nuova sfida nella mia vita. Sono grato per tutti questi anni, ma era quello che volevo, una nuova sfida in un campionato competitivo come quello italiano." Mora has already marked his Roma debut with a goal and made his Champions League appearance for the club, calling it an important step. He expressed particular admiration for Dybala, saying: "È uno che ammiravo da bambino, ora poter giocare e allenarmi con lui… vedere le cose che fa, che pochi fanno… È una persona umile e mi ha aiutato molto in questo inizio alla Roma. Mi piace come giocatore e come persona. Sono grato di poter giocare al suo fianco." Mora's immediate priority is scoring at the Olimpico. "Voglio ancora segnare allo Stadio Olimpico," he stated. "È speciale e non vedo l'ora di segnare allo Stadio Olimpico. L'atmosfera allo Stadio Olimpico è qualcosa di davvero speciale e bellissimo e ti fa venire voglia di giocare e segnare per la Roma." Looking ahead, Mora said: "Ora voglio fare una buona stagione alla Roma. Ho fatto il mio debutto in Champions League, è stato un passo importante. Spero di vincere titoli alla Roma e di giocare il miglior calcio possibile. Siamo in una buona fase, ma è un campionato molto competitivo. Siamo sulla strada giusta." He has been called up twice by Portugal but suffered injuries during both convocations.

AS Roma have decided against releasing Paulo Dybala and Nahuel Molina for Lionel Messi's farewell Argentina match on 6 October, despite the striker and defender being among the 2022 World Cup winners Messi has requested for the special fixture against Benin. Three Roma players—Leonardo Balerdi, Matías Soulé and Santiago Castro—are already officially called up by Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni and will attend the event. Roma's caution stems from the timing and physical toll of the trip. The club faces a demanding fixture schedule immediately after Messi's game, beginning with a crucial away match at Como on 11 October that opens a stretch of nine fixtures in 27 days—a critical block of the season in which coach Gian Piero Gasperini intends to rely on Dybala at full fitness. The striker has made an impressive start to the campaign. The participation would require both Dybala and Molina to undertake two long transatlantic flights around the Serie A matchday, bringing inevitable consequences from jet lag, recovery times and tactical preparation. Although evaluations are officially ongoing, Roma's position is clear: players not included in Scaloni's official squad list will remain at the club's Trigoria training base to prepare for the resumption of Serie A.

Rodrigo Mora has spoken of his ambition to win silverware with Roma and deliver goals at the Stadio Olimpico following his summer arrival from Porto. The 2007-born playmaker, who scored against Lecce in his second match for the club, gave the interview to Canal 11 whilst with Portugal's U21 squad during qualification for the next European Championship. Mora reflected on the magnitude of his transfer after 19 years in Porto, where he spent 10 playing for the club's first team. "It was a different change. I lived 19 years in Porto and 10 I played for Porto. It is a different culture. But I am happy with the change. It will be a positive change," he said. He emphasized his desire to perform at the Olimpico: "I like to score very much. Scoring for Roma was beautiful, but I still want to score at the Stadio Olimpico. It is special and I cannot wait to score at the Stadio Olimpico. The atmosphere at the Stadio Olimpico is something truly special and beautiful and it makes you want to play and score for Roma." Mora praised Paulo Dybala as a crucial influence in his early weeks at the club. "He is someone I admired as a child, now being able to play and train with him...seeing the things he does, that few do...He is a humble person and has helped me a lot in this start at Roma. I like him as a player and as a person. I am grateful to be able to play at his side." On leaving Porto, Mora said: "Goodbyes are never easy. It was difficult. It was a long period, it was my home. It will always be my home. All cycles close, they can reopen later. I leave with my heart full, I was a champion with my club. I leave as a champion and will continue to be another fan of Porto, now cheering from Italy. I wish them good luck. I know things are going well, I hope they continue like that and that the second title arrives." Mora added that he wanted to perform well this season and win titles with Roma, having made his Champions League debut. "Now I want to have a good season at Roma. I made my Champions League debut, it was an important step. I hope to win titles at Roma and to play the best football possible," he said.

Paulo Dybala is at the centre of a selection standoff as Argentina prepare for Lionel Messi's final international appearance on 6 October against Benin. Roma have signalled they do not want Dybala and fellow World Cup 2022 winner Nahuel Molina to travel for the match, despite calls from coach Scaloni to include them alongside the three Roma players already convoked — Leonardo Balerdi, Matías Soulé and Santiago Castro. The club's reluctance stems from the fixture congestion that follows. Roma return to action on 11 October for an away trip to Como, only five days after Messi's farewell and the start of a demanding run of nine matches in 27 days. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini wants to deploy Dybala at full capacity during this critical period, and the dual intercontinental journeys would impose recovery, jet lag and preparation penalties ahead of the Lake Como fixture. The evaluation is ongoing, but Roma's position is clear: Argentine players not selected by Scaloni could genuinely remain at Trigoria.