Soulé and Castro make Argentina debuts in 7–0 win over Burkina Faso; Balerdi also features

Mario Hermoso is moving closer to a contract renewal with Roma. The Spanish defender has established himself as a linchpin under Gian Piero Gasperini, demonstrating strong adaptation to the coach's tactical system. The club's management is now turning its attention to his future, with talks and negotiations set to begin in the coming weeks. Hermoso would prefer a two-year extension that would take his contract through to 2029. Roma's policy for players over 30, however, typically involves annual renewals. Both the player and the club are keen to continue together, though the length of any new deal remains to be settled in forthcoming discussions.

André Villas-Boas, president of Porto, has praised Rodrigo Mora following the 19-year-old midfielder's move to Roma, saying the investment was substantial but justified. In an interview with Corriere dello Sport, Villas-Boas described Mora as "an immense talent, who will make Roma fans happy" and expressed confidence he will flourish in Serie A. "He will find his space and enchant Roma, I'm sure of it. He has personality and technical qualities that are uncommon, and he wants to build a great career," Villas-Boas said. Mora departed Porto after limited playing time despite his status as an academy standout. Villas-Boas explained: "He was an idol for our fans, a jewel of our formation. But the great competitiveness of the squad meant he felt his minutes were insufficient. So we decided to listen to offers, and Roma was truly determined to sign him." The midfielder's technical ability has caught attention across European football, and Villas-Boas believes Roma's coaching setup offers the ideal environment for development. When asked how head coach Gian Piero Gasperini can help Mora progress, Villas-Boas said: "I think he is one of the best technical talents in circulation. With the tactical work of a master like Gasperini, he can become a world-class player." On physical development, Villas-Boas was pragmatic: "He can't become 1.80 metres tall. And if we're talking about muscles I'd say no: he already has enough quality in his feet."

Santiago Castro made his Argentina debut in a 7–0 friendly victory over Burkina Faso, coming on in the second half in a moment he described as unforgettable. The Roma forward posted on social media: "There are moments that stay with you forever, and today I had the chance to live one. Wearing this shirt for the first time and representing my country is a pride that is hard to explain in words. I have dreamed of this moment since I was a child, and today I can say it has come true. An unforgettable day. May it be the first of many." Castro had endured difficult months after injury kept him away from the national team, but he is now enjoying his return. Speaking in the mixed zone after the match, he reflected on the emotional weight of the occasion: "I can't describe it in words. It's an immense feeling: seeing my family, my wife who is pregnant... It's a combination of wonderful things." He revealed that he will soon encounter Lionel Messi for the first time during Argentina training sessions, calling it "a marvellous feeling, but also a bit sad, because you wish he could play forever. It's because of him that I fell in love with this sport, with the national team and with this shirt." Castro also spoke to Argentina's official channels about advice from experienced players to enjoy the moment and play as they do at their clubs, giving everything for the shirt. He stressed: "I spent difficult months after the injury because I couldn't be with the national team, but fortunately today I'm enjoying it again."

Santiago Castro made his Argentina debut in a 7–0 friendly victory over Burkina Faso, coming on in the second half in a moment he described as unforgettable. The Roma forward posted on social media: "There are moments that stay with you forever, and today I had the chance to live one. Wearing this shirt for the first time and representing my country is a pride that is hard to explain in words. I have dreamed of this moment since I was a child, and today I can say it has come true. An unforgettable day. May it be the first of many." Castro had endured difficult months after injury kept him away from the national team, but he is now enjoying his return. Speaking in the mixed zone after the match, he reflected on the emotional weight of the occasion: "I can't describe it in words. It's an immense feeling: seeing my family, my wife who is pregnant... It's a combination of wonderful things." He revealed that he will soon encounter Lionel Messi for the first time during Argentina training sessions, calling it "a marvellous feeling, but also a bit sad, because you wish he could play forever. It's because of him that I fell in love with this sport, with the national team and with this shirt." Castro also spoke to Argentina's official channels about advice from experienced players to enjoy the moment and play as they do at their clubs, giving everything for the shirt. He stressed: "I spent difficult months after the injury because I couldn't be with the national team, but fortunately today I'm enjoying it again."

Matías Soulé and Santiago Castro made their senior Argentina debuts in a commanding 7-0 victory over Burkina Faso at the Monumental, with Leonardo Balerdi also featuring in the second half. Argentina had already settled the contest by half-time, leading 5-0. Lautaro Martínez, Gianluca Prestianni, Nico Paz, Julián Álvarez, Franco Mastantuono and Giuliano Simeone scored, along with an own goal from Moumouni Diallo. Coach Lionel Scaloni used the second period to rotate his squad. Soulé and Balerdi entered immediately after the interval, while Castro came on in place of Lautaro Martínez in the 69th minute. Soulé played 45 minutes in his debut, Castro featured for just over 20 minutes and struck the woodwork late in the match, while Balerdi completed the full second half in a fixture where Argentina's defence faced minimal pressure. Burkina Faso fielded a largely Under-23 side following logistical chaos that engulfed their senior team. A charter flight organised from Morocco suffered a technical fault, forcing the federation to arrange their youth squad's late replacement. The African delegation arrived in Buenos Aires just five hours before kick-off after nearly 12 hours of travel. For Roma, the significance lies in Soulé and Castro's successful debuts with the Selección, and Balerdi adding a further 45 minutes at national team level. Argentina's next match will be against Benin, an occasion marking Lionel Messi's farewell to international football.

Argentina defeated Burkina Faso 7–0 in a friendly on 4 October, with Santiago Castro and Matías Soulé both making their national team debuts. Castro entered the pitch at 69 minutes in place of Lautaro Martinez, while Soulé, the 2003-born winger and former Juventus player, came on at half-time. Leonardo Balerdi also featured, coming on between the first and second halves. No Roma players scored in the match. Argentina's goals came from Lautaro Martinez, Prestianni, Nico Paz, Julián Álvarez, Mastantuono, and Giuliano Simeone, with an own goal completing the tally. Burkina Faso fielded an under-23 side. The fixture was marked by extraordinary circumstances. A scheduled flight from Morocco carrying Burkina Faso's full squad was cancelled due to an aircraft malfunction, leaving the players unwilling to make the journey given the exhaustion it would cause. To salvage the match, the Burkinabé federation dispatched its under-23 team via charter flight instead. The replacement squad arrived in Argentina just five hours before kickoff, giving them barely time to complete bureaucratic procedures, check into their hotel, and travel to the Monumental stadium. The total journey took just under 12 hours.

Matías Soulé and Santiago Castro made their senior Argentina debuts in a commanding 7-0 victory over Burkina Faso at the Monumental, with Leonardo Balerdi also featuring in the second half. Argentina had already settled the contest by half-time, leading 5-0. Lautaro Martínez, Gianluca Prestianni, Nico Paz, Julián Álvarez, Franco Mastantuono and Giuliano Simeone scored, along with an own goal from Moumouni Diallo. Coach Lionel Scaloni used the second period to rotate his squad. Soulé and Balerdi entered immediately after the interval, while Castro came on in place of Lautaro Martínez in the 69th minute. Soulé played 45 minutes in his debut, Castro featured for just over 20 minutes and struck the woodwork late in the match, while Balerdi completed the full second half in a fixture where Argentina's defence faced minimal pressure. Burkina Faso fielded a largely Under-23 side following logistical chaos that engulfed their senior team. A charter flight organised from Morocco suffered a technical fault, forcing the federation to arrange their youth squad's late replacement. The African delegation arrived in Buenos Aires just five hours before kick-off after nearly 12 hours of travel. For Roma, the significance lies in Soulé and Castro's successful debuts with the Selección, and Balerdi adding a further 45 minutes at national team level. Argentina's next match will be against Benin, an occasion marking Lionel Messi's farewell to international football.

Argentina defeated Burkina Faso 7–0 in a friendly on 4 October, with Santiago Castro and Matías Soulé both making their national team debuts. Castro entered the pitch at 69 minutes in place of Lautaro Martinez, while Soulé, the 2003-born winger and former Juventus player, came on at half-time. Leonardo Balerdi also featured, coming on between the first and second halves. No Roma players scored in the match. Argentina's goals came from Lautaro Martinez, Prestianni, Nico Paz, Julián Álvarez, Mastantuono, and Giuliano Simeone, with an own goal completing the tally. Burkina Faso fielded an under-23 side. The fixture was marked by extraordinary circumstances. A scheduled flight from Morocco carrying Burkina Faso's full squad was cancelled due to an aircraft malfunction, leaving the players unwilling to make the journey given the exhaustion it would cause. To salvage the match, the Burkinabé federation dispatched its under-23 team via charter flight instead. The replacement squad arrived in Argentina just five hours before kickoff, giving them barely time to complete bureaucratic procedures, check into their hotel, and travel to the Monumental stadium. The total journey took just under 12 hours.

Marco Materazzi, the former Inter player and 2006 World Cup winner with Italy, has publicly backed Gianluca Mancini as the best defender in Serie A. Speaking at the Trento Festival to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Materazzi demonstrated his affection for the Roma defender, whom he has long been an idol to — Mancini wears the number 23 both for Roma and for Italy in tribute. Mancini is no stranger to Materazzi's admiration. When asked to rank Serie A's top defenders, Materazzi named Mancini ahead of Bisseck, Rrahmani, Akanji, Chalobah, Pavlovic, Balerdi, Ramón, Solet, Gila, Hermoso and Alaba. For Balerdi he noted: "You know he's a fan of mine and I'm his idol, so Mancini." On Gila he said: "I can't vote for a Milanista." When it came to Inter players, however, Materazzi's heart took over. Asked to choose between Mancini and John Stones, he replied: "Stones, he's Inter." The English defender prevailed over Scalvini and Bremer, but ultimately finished behind Alessandro Bastoni in Materazzi's final ranking.