Roma need one final push at Verona to secure Champions League football

AS Roma earned over 1 million dollars from FIFA's Club Benefits Programme during the 2026 World Cup, ranking sixth among Serie A sides in total club payments. The FIFA scheme, run jointly with the European Football Clubs association, distributed 355 million dollars (300 million euros) to compensate clubs for releasing players to international duty. Each club received a minimum of approximately 5,000 dollars per day (4,300 euros) for every player loaned to their national federation. Roma fielded five players across the tournament held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico: Evan N'Dicka, Zeki Çelik, Neil El Aynaoui, Manu Koné, and Donyell Malen. These five accumulated 211 days of competition, generating 1.055 million dollars for the club. Milan topped Serie A's earnings with over 2.3 million dollars from ten players, followed by Atalanta (1.6 million from eight players) and Inter (1.55 million from seven). Juventus collected 1.2 million and Bologna 1 million. Among individual Roma players, Koné was the most valuable, earning 280,000 dollars for the club—second only to Lautaro Martinez of Inter and Nico Paz of Como, who each generated 285,000 dollars.

Inter, Milan, Juventus and Roma launched their summer training camps on Monday, 13 July as Serie A's leading sides begin preparations ahead of the new season. Many players remain committed to international duty at major tournaments, though several have returned to their clubs ready to start preseason. The four giants are among the first to commence their respective ritiri, or structured training retreats, with friendlies scheduled to build match fitness and tactical cohesion. Roma joins the elite quartet in kicking off summer work, with Gian Piero Gasperini's squad assembling for the intensive preparation phase. The timing reflects the staggered return of internationals, as some personnel are only recently emerging from extended competition calendars. These camps serve as the foundation for competitive readiness before the Serie A campaign resumes. Preseason schedules typically span several weeks and include a mix of internal drills, controlled matches and friendly fixtures against lower-division or regional opponents. The early start by these five major clubs underscores the demands of modern elite football, where conditioning and collective understanding must be rebuilt efficiently during the summer window.

Mario Balotelli has named AS Roma among the contenders for next season's Serie A title, alongside Napoli and Inter. Speaking to Sportmediaset, the former Milan striker said: "Napoli and Inter are the favourites, but I want to add a surprise: Roma will also fight for the Scudetto." Balotelli, now based in Saudi Arabia, predicted that Gian Piero Gasperini's side will be in the mix for the championship despite not being among the usual elite. Roma have not yet completed any significant transfer business ahead of their squad gathering tomorrow. The pursuit of Greenwood has fallen away, while the club continues to work on signing a backup to Malen, with Tresoldi identified as a target, and also Garnacho. The Giallorossi are preparing to restart their season following a challenging campaign. Balotelli's endorsement represents external confidence in Roma's prospects, though the club's transfer activity will be crucial to whether they can genuinely mount a title challenge.

Spain and Argentina face off in the World Cup final, with the Spanish seeking their second world title after 2010 and Argentina pursuing a fourth star and back-to-back victories. Ahead of Roma's training session against the Primavera this morning, the club's players declared their allegiances. The majority of the Roma squad will support Argentina and Messi. Paulo Dybala and Matías Soulé lead the Argentine contingent, joined by Bryan Cristante, Daniele Ghilardi, Niccolò Pisilli, Mile Svilar, Artem Dovbyk, Devyne Rensch, and Gianluca Mancini. Mancini also sent a message to his former Roma teammate Leandro Paredes: "Vamos Leandro". On Spain's side, Jan Ziółkowski, Hermoso, and Angeliño will be backing the Spanish, with one additional Roma player from the Spanish camp also expressing support for las furias rojas.

Argentina and Spain will contest the 2026 World Cup final on 19 July at 21:00, with the European champions facing the champions of South America in a match laden with historical significance. The fixture pits Lionel Scaloni's Argentina against Luis de la Fuente's Spain, and will see a generational duel between Lionel Messi and Barcelona's Lamine Yamal. AS Roma surveyed its squad on their preference for the final through a social media video. The vote was decisive: Argentina emerged as the favourite 8-2. Among Roma's players, Bryan Cristante, Matías Soulé, Paulo Dybala, Artem Dovbyk and Mile Svilar all backed Argentina, reflecting the giallorossi's leaning toward the South American side ahead of the showpiece.

AS Roma asked its squad members to reveal which team they will support in tonight's World Cup final between Spain and Argentina, kicking off at 21:00 in New York. The club's social media campaign featured responses from Bryan Cristante, Jan Ziółkowski, Matías Soulé, Paulo Dybala, Niccolò Pisilli, Mile Svilar, and Gianluca Mancini among others. Mancini, the club's number 23, backed his former teammate Leandro Paredes with the message: "Vamos Leandro!" The Argentina contingent within Roma's squad showed their colours during the exercise, with both Dybala and Soulé participating in the video responses. The engagement reflects the global reach of Roma's playing staff, with strong connections to both European and South American football. The campaign concluded with Argentina ultimately prevailing among the respondents, though the article emphasises that the pitch will ultimately decide the true winner of the match.

Roma's 2026–27 season officially began with a 6–0 friendly win over the Primavera under Mattia Scala, played in four 20-minute periods. Paulo Dybala and Artem Dovbyk scored twice each, with Matías Soulé and Bryan Cristante also on the scoresheet under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. Crysencio Summerville is emerging as Roma's primary summer transfer target. The club has reached a tentative agreement with the Dutch winger but must negotiate with West Ham, who rejected an initial offer of €40 million plus €5 million in bonuses. Roma are preparing a counter-bid and are considering paying the €53 million release clause in Summerville's contract. The player has reportedly reduced his wage demands, with Roma offering €4 million annually plus bonuses to seal the deal. Meanwhile, director D'Amico continues working to secure contract renewals for Gasperini's squad. Gianluca Mancini, Paulo Dybala and Bryan Cristante have all signed new deals, but Lorenzo Pellegrini's renewal remains unsigned. Roma supporters have displayed a banner at Trigoria urging the club to complete Pellegrini's contract: "Making a mistake can happen, repeating it means negligence. Let's hold Lorenzo tight." The message echoes concerns over Zeki Çelik's summer departure to Juventus. Elsewhere, Manu Koné has attracted interest from Manchester United and other top European clubs following strong displays at the World Cup; Roma will not consider offers below €50–60 million, having rejected Atlético Madrid's €43 million bid in June.

Spain and Argentina face off in the World Cup final, with the Spanish seeking their second world title after 2010 and Argentina pursuing a fourth star and back-to-back victories. Ahead of Roma's training session against the Primavera this morning, the club's players declared their allegiances. The majority of the Roma squad will support Argentina and Messi. Paulo Dybala and Matías Soulé lead the Argentine contingent, joined by Bryan Cristante, Daniele Ghilardi, Niccolò Pisilli, Mile Svilar, Artem Dovbyk, Devyne Rensch, and Gianluca Mancini. Mancini also sent a message to his former Roma teammate Leandro Paredes: "Vamos Leandro". On Spain's side, Jan Ziółkowski, Hermoso, and Angeliño will be backing the Spanish, with one additional Roma player from the Spanish camp also expressing support for las furias rojas.

AS Roma asked its squad members to reveal which team they will support in tonight's World Cup final between Spain and Argentina, kicking off at 21:00 in New York. The club's social media campaign featured responses from Bryan Cristante, Jan Ziółkowski, Matías Soulé, Paulo Dybala, Niccolò Pisilli, Mile Svilar, and Gianluca Mancini among others. Mancini, the club's number 23, backed his former teammate Leandro Paredes with the message: "Vamos Leandro!" The Argentina contingent within Roma's squad showed their colours during the exercise, with both Dybala and Soulé participating in the video responses. The engagement reflects the global reach of Roma's playing staff, with strong connections to both European and South American football. The campaign concluded with Argentina ultimately prevailing among the respondents, though the article emphasises that the pitch will ultimately decide the true winner of the match.

Roma defeated the Primavera side 6–0 in an internal friendly at Trigoria under the watchful eye of director Tony D'Amico, with Paulo Dybala orchestrating the performance. The match was played in four slots under Gasperini's new-look system. Roma struggled initially in the opening 20 minutes, with Artem Dovbyk spurning a clear chance in front of goal. Once Gasperini reshuffled the lineup around the quarter-hour mark, Dybala took control. Matías Soulé opened the scoring by heading in a Dybala cross, before Soulé himself added a second from a Dybala assist at the 44-minute mark. In the second half, Dybala converted a penalty won by Cherubini and added a fifth with a left-footed half-volley from Soulé's assist, demonstrating the twin's telepathic understanding. Bryan Cristante also scored from a distance, with Dovbyk adding the sixth late on. Angeliño featured for just one half, while Wesley played on the right flank in place of the injured Çelik. Hermoso led the defensive line with authority and precision. Gasperini granted the squad a day's rest following the exercise, with training resuming tomorrow at 18:00.

Lorenzo Pellegrini's contract renewal with Roma remains deadlocked, with the club offering a two-year deal while the 30-year-old captain seeks a three-year agreement after accepting a significant wage reduction. Having been sidelined last summer before being recalled by Gian Piero Gasperini, Pellegrini has been a free agent for 20 days and has turned down interest from Juventus, Napoli, and Inter—all of whom have made approaches—because he wants only Roma. Gasperini warned in a press conference on Saturday that delays are unhelpful and called for the contract to be resolved quickly, hoping to have the number 7 back in the squad soon. The delay has prompted a banner from the Roma ultras group to appear at Trigoria reading: "Fare un errore può succedere, ripeterlo vuol dire approssimazione. Teniamoci stretto Lorenzo" [Making a mistake can happen, repeating it means carelessness. Let's hold tight to Lorenzo]. Unlike Pellegrini's stalled talks, midfielder Bryan Cristante has signed a new contract through 2028, posting on social media: "Roma and the Roma, for me and my family, are home. A happy place... the city of my children... I prefer to speak little and demonstrate my attachment through sweat, but this bond until 2028 means something special to me: eternal love. I have always given everything for Roma and will continue to do so. I am honoured to continue my journey in giallorosso, a world that is and will always be home."

Lorenzo Pellegrini remains committed to Roma despite interest from Juventus, Inter and Napoli, but negotiations over a new deal have stalled. The 30-year-old midfielder, formally out of contract for twenty days, is willing to take a pay cut to stay at the club but is demanding a three-year contract while Roma is offering only two years. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has stressed the need to settle the squad as soon as possible, with the season already underway. The impasse has drawn attention from Roma's Curva Sud, who displayed a banner at Trigoria urging the club to secure Pellegrini immediately and avoid repeating what they view as the mistake made with Çelik. The supporter group's intervention reflects broader concerns about losing another key player during a critical period. On a positive note for Roma, Bryan Cristante has signed a new contract extension that ties him to the club until 2028, ending uncertainty over one of the club's senior figures.