Rudiger celebrates Totti as iconic figure after shared time at Roma

Antonio Rüdiger has shared a video on TikTok showcasing the three most significant shirts from his playing career, reflecting his enduring affection for Roma and its supporters. The Real Madrid defender selected jerseys from Kai Havertz and Mesut Özil among his choices, but reserved special significance for a Roma shirt from the 2016–17 season that once belonged to Francesco Totti. Rüdiger said of the Totti shirt: "I would never have imagined being able to play or share a dressing room with him. That is why this shirt is so important to me." The German's gesture underscores the bond he maintains with the Giallorossi fanbase despite his departure. Rüdiger spent time at Roma during his career before moving to Madrid, and the video demonstrates his continued respect for the club's history and its legendary number 10. His public acknowledgement of Totti's significance reflects the deep impression left by the Roma icon, who retired in 2017 after spending his entire career at the Stadio Olimpico.

Brighton will host Roma in the closing match of Gian Piero Gasperini's pre-season schedule on 8 August at 16:00 Italian time. The friendly concludes the club's week of preparation in England before the squad returns to Rome. After the Brighton fixture, Roma will fly back to Fiumicino airport, where players will reunite with their families and enjoy a short rest period. The trip marks the final stage of Gasperini's pre-season programme ahead of the 2026–27 season.

Angeliño is departing Roma, leaving behind a legacy shaped as much by personal adversity as by sporting contribution. The left-back, whose full name is José Ángel Esmorís Tasende, departs with profound gratitude despite the pain of an incomplete career arc at the club. A serious injury, described as both debilitating and uncertain in its recovery timeline, robbed him of the chance to continue offering the technical quality and competitive intensity that had made him a decisive presence on the pitch. The Italian capital's supporters and media extended him uncommon respect during his struggles—treating his situation as deeply human rather than merely professional. Angeliño embodied the kind of professional who commits himself fully, leaving part of his heart in Rome. His spell at the Giallorossi remained unfinished in purely sporting terms, yet was compensated by an atmosphere of dignity and understanding around his inability to return to the level fans had known and admired. The farewell carries a distinctive tone: recognition that had circumstances permitted, Angeliño would have given every drop of effort to Roma's cause until the final moment. From this point forward, he is not an opponent but a Romanista wearing different colours—a status earned not through trophies or statistics, but through the character he displayed when he could no longer contribute on the field.