Pedro announces retirement from football, omits Roma from career retrospective

Roma fans have sold out the 3,000 away allocation for the Old Trafford fixture in less than 24 hours, signalling a significant travelling support for the Champions League match on 3 November against Manchester United. The game will be Roma's fourth match in the league phase of the competition. Roma have begun their European campaign with a 1–1 draw away to Fenerbahce. Two further group-stage matches follow in October at the Olimpico: against Real Madrid on 14 October and Slovan Bratislava on 20 October. The last meeting between Roma and Manchester United came in 2021 in the Europa League, when Roma lost 6–2 in England before securing a 3–2 victory in the home leg.

Jordan Veretout, who left Roma in 2022 after three seasons, has expressed his enduring affection for the club and suggested he would be open to a return if the opportunity arose. Speaking on Retesport, the midfielder reflected on his time in giallorosso from 2019 to 2022, when he made 131 appearances, scored 22 goals and provided 16 assists. "Roma has remained in my heart," Veretout said. "When Roma calls me, I'm there." Veretout departed Rome to join Marseille, describing the move as the right moment after three years at the club. He emphasised the difficulty of leaving, particularly after winning the UEFA Europa Conference League with Roma in 2022. "We won the Conference, it was difficult to leave," he recalled. "For me it was the right moment to return to France—there was an offer from Marseille, a great team in France just as Roma is in Italy, and after three years it was the right time to leave." The midfielder praised current head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's style of play, describing it as "vertical, strong football with constant pressure." He suggested the system would have suited his characteristics. "I would have enjoyed playing under him, and when I was at Roma, Atalanta wanted me, so I believe manager Gasperini wanted me with him," Veretout said. He expressed hope that Roma can win the Serie A title this season and spoke fondly of fellow midfielder Manu Koné, a French compatriot. "I watch him with affection, I'm happy that he is doing well in giallorosso and I wish him success at Roma because it's special." Veretout recalled his finest moment in Roma colours as a penalty against Napoli, struck "under the Sud" with help from teammates Dzeko and Kolarov. He named Radja Nainggolan as his Serie A midfield idol. On his final months at Roma under José Mourinho, Veretout acknowledged a "good relationship" with the Portuguese manager but cited complications over contract renewal and a subsequent Marseille offer. "I had a good relationship with him. I don't know if it was him or the club first that caused me to play less—we talked about a renewal but we didn't reach an agreement, then the Marseille offer came. He was always very close to the players, he is and remains number one," Veretout reflected. Now based in Doha, Veretout stated he is doing well but acknowledged that football remains challenging. He emphasised family as his priority and joked that his wife wants to return to Rome's capital. "I'm not finished, I can still help if Roma wants me, I'm there," he said. Veretout spoke passionately about Roma's 2022 Conference League victory in Tirana, describing the subsequent celebrations at Rome's centre as unforgettable. "When we celebrated in the centre of Rome with thousands of supporters, even today I get chills—I show my son the images," he said. He maintained contact with former teammates including Gianluca Mancini, Lorenzo Pellegrini and Bryan Cristante, and paid tribute to Roma's supporters as "top in Europe for passion and warmth."

Alberto Aquilani, a former Roma midfielder, has expressed confidence in the club's championship prospects ahead of the resumption of Serie A. Speaking to Il Messaggero, Aquilani praised both the squad and head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, saying Roma have the strength and depth to compete for the title. "Very strong and complete squad," Aquilani said of Roma. "It got off to the right start, it can fight for the top." On Gasperini's impact at the club, Aquilani was emphatic in his assessment: "For what he has done and communicated, he is a master—he is one in what he does. He revolutionised the way we play with all-round pressing, with his way of understanding the match and I think also training. He is an innovator." Aquilani's endorsement reflects the optimism surrounding Roma's campaign this season, with particular emphasis on Gasperini's tactical innovations and influence over the squad's approach to matches.