Totti recalls Aldair's captain's armband: 'I understood its beauty over time'

Francesco Totti has recalled the moment Aldair handed him the captain's armband in a feature for Sky's Aldair – Cuore Giallorosso series. Totti wore the band for nearly two decades after that handover. In the interview, Totti described his initial reaction to the news. "He told me right there and then: 'From today on you'll be the captain of this squad'. At that moment I didn't quite understand it, I didn't realise what it could mean," Totti said. "Then, day after day, I came to understand the beauty of wearing this armband."

Davide Massa has been appointed to referee Roma's Serie A clash against Inter at the Olimpico on Saturday 19 September at 18:00, with the fixture a top-of-the-table encounter between the two league leaders. Mazzoleni will oversee proceedings from the VAR room, supported by Di Paolo as AVAR. Meli and Berti are the assistant referees, while Maresca takes the fourth official role. Roma's record with Massa in charge stands at ten matches without victory. The last Roma win under his direction came in October 2022 when Roma beat Inter 2–1 away at San Siro. Most recently, Massa officiated Roma's trip to Como on 15 March, a match Roma lost 2–1 after Wesley was sent off in a controversial decision for a foul on Diao near Roma's penalty area. The full list of Serie A Week 5 referees has been announced: Perenzoni handles Monza–Sassuolo (Friday 18 September at 20:45); Guida takes Bologna–Torino (Saturday 19 September at 15:00); Manganiello directs Udinese–Cagliari (Saturday 19 September at 15:00); Sozza referees Venezia–Lazio (Saturday 19 September at 20:45); Doveri oversees Fiorentina–Napoli (12:30); Chiffi directs Frosinone–Como (15:00); Mariani handles Parma–Genoa (15:00); Zufferli referees Juventus–Atalanta (18:00); and La Penna takes Milan–Lecce (20:45).

Gianluca Mancini pulled over his car at the exit of Roma's Trigoria training centre to take selfies and chat with supporters, in a moment captured on video and shared on Instagram by the account 'Calciatori per sbaglio'. A group of children chased after his vehicle, managed to get his attention, and the defender spent time posing for photographs with all of them before driving away. The informal encounter shows a lighter side of professional football, where a brief interaction between a player and young fans can become a meaningful moment for those involved.