Roma Step Up Summer Preparations with Primavera Friendly

Leonardo Balerdi has been confirmed as available for Gian Piero Gasperini and is included in the squad for the fixture against Lecce. In his first interview, the Argentine defender signalled his focus on the Derby della Capitale, sidelining Lazio without naming them directly. When asked about playing at the Stadio Olimpico, Balerdi said: "I've been here before and we played against another team. I want to know it from this side." The remark delighted Roma supporters. Bareldi has already demonstrated proficiency in Italian, surprising observers during the interview. His fluency stems from his girlfriend, who was born in Milan, and his mother, an Italian language teacher in Argentina. The combination of derby awareness and linguistic ease has made an immediate impression on the fanbase as the club prepares for the opening fixture.

Leonardo Balerdi has given his first interview since completing his transfer from Olympique Marseille to Roma. The Argentine defender spoke to the club's official channels about his early impressions in the capital, his reasons for choosing Roma and his relationship with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. Balerdi brings experience from Bundesliga football with Borussia Dortmund, Ligue 1 with Marseille and Argentine domestic football with Boca Juniors, along with 11 caps for the Argentina national team. He has played in the Conference League, Europa League and Champions League. His arrival adds defensive depth to Gasperini's squad for the 2026–27 campaign. On his decision to join Roma, Balerdi said: "Many things pushed me, but I think I had something with this shirt. When I was small I saw this shirt and said: 'It's beautiful.' I really liked it and that's why I wanted to play here. I got to know the club and the fans, I saw their passion and I wanted to be here." He revealed his mother was an Italian-language teacher in Argentina and his girlfriend is Italian, explaining his fluent Italian. Asked about Argentine players in Roma's history, he named Paulo, Leandro, Gabriel, Walter Samuel and Gabriel Batistuta. When discussing his idols, he singled out Fernando Gago, who played for Roma: "When I was small I wanted to play as a midfielder and Fernando Gago was my idol. He played here. He was one of my childhood idols. I had saved many photos of Gago in this shirt. Incredible." Regarding Gasperini, Balerdi acknowledged limited direct contact so far: "We've had some contact, but not directly. I also know he looked for me when he was at Atalanta." To the Roma fans, he said: "I want to play, I want to wear this shirt right away and I want to give all my heart, all my strength, to take Roma as high as possible. Thank you for everything. Let's go Roma."

Leonardi Balerdi has been officially confirmed as a Roma player and is already available for selection, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini having named him in the squad for the away trip to Lecce. The Argentine defender, arriving from Marseille, gave his first interview to the club's official channels, discussing his childhood ambitions and excitement at joining the Giallorossi. Bareldi cited Juan Sebastián Verón, Lionel Messi and Juan Manuel Riquelme as his boyhood idols, explaining: "When I was small I wanted to play in midfield and one of my references was Gago. He was one of my idols along with Messi and Riquelme because I'm a Boca fan, I wanted to play like Gago and I have lots of photos of him in this shirt." The defender has previously faced Roma in Italian football, noting that he had played against the club on an earlier visit and was keen to experience the rivalry from the other perspective. On his relationship with Gasperini, Balerdi revealed they had not spoken directly but acknowledged the coach's earlier interest: "I didn't speak with Gasperini, but I know he looked for me when he was at Atalanta and now I'm happy to work with him. People have spoken very well of him to me." Addressing Roma's supporters, Balerdi said: "Thank you to everyone, I want to play and wear this shirt straight away and give all my heart and strength to take Roma to the top. Thank you for everything."