Mourinho returns to the Olimpico as Drugi's mural captures Roma's Conference glory

A new mural by street artist Drugi has appeared in Rome ahead of José Mourinho's return to the Olimpico on Wednesday evening, when he will lead Real Madrid against Roma in the Champions League. The artwork marks a symbolic moment as the Special One prepares to face his former club for the first time since departing the Giallorossi. Mourinho's tenure at Roma culminated in the club winning the UEFA Europa Conference League in Tirana—a trophy drought ended after decades. The bond between Mourinho and Roma supporters remains evident despite the passage of time and his subsequent move away. Wednesday's fixture represents an unusual emotional undertone for Roma fans, who must balance affection for their former manager with the competitive demands of the match. Accompanying Drugi's mural is a caption that captures the sentiment of Roma's fanbase: "We held hands on the roof of Europe. For one night we will forget the love, but we will never forget who we were." The quote references both Mourinho's years at the club and the Conference League triumph in Tirana. For ninety minutes on Wednesday, however, Mourinho will be an opponent. The memory of what was built together cannot be set aside entirely, even as the two sides prepare to compete.

Street artist Drugi has created a new mural in tribute to José Mourinho ahead of Roma's Champions League match against Real Madrid on Wednesday, 12 October. Mourinho will return to the Stadio Olimpico as an opponent for the first time since leaving the club. The mural depicts Mourinho wearing a Roma scarf while shaking hands with a child dressed in Roma colours who holds the UEFA Europa Conference League trophy won in Tirana. The image symbolically connects Mourinho's past at the club, the memory of that achievement, and Roma's identity.

AS Roma have unveiled design details for their second shirt in the 2026–27 centenary season, inspired by Fortitudo-Pro Roma, one of three clubs that merged to form AS Roma in 1927. The new away kit will feature a dark blue base combined with red detailing, a colour scheme that directly echoes the Fortitudo badge, traditionally characterised by vertical red and blue stripes. The historic Fortitudo-Pro Roma kit had a white base with a horizontal red and blue band across the chest. Roma's new design honours that legacy while adapting it for the modern centenary celebration. According to Footyheadlines, the colour palette—white, red, and blue—references the three founding societies that created the club nearly a century ago.