Totti reveals Roma wanted him to present the number 10 shirt to Dybala

Gian Piero Gasperini met with AS Roma's business partners on 23 September, offering reflections on the club's direction and his approach to the role. Speaking about Roma's recent fixture against Inter, he said: "It was a spectacle. Thanks also to the new rules that now prevent time-wasting and favour entertainment, we are working well and I am very satisfied." Addressing the assembled sponsors and entrepreneurs, Gasperini emphasised the parallel between business success and football: "To make excellent investments you must have excellent ideas—that is the foundation for creating a business. Thank you also for the confidence you give to Roma, which gives us an extra responsibility." He highlighted Roma as a demanding environment where hard work and commitment are valued by those invested in the club. Gasperini revealed personal touches during the evening: he loves amatriciana, and on 5 October his wine house will unveil a new vintage called Freisa 3-4-3. "I chose this name because the 3-4-3 has been my fortune," he explained, "and I hope it brings good fortune too. With that formation I built almost all my successes."

Francesco Totti has revealed that AS Roma attempted to persuade him to present the number 10 shirt to Paulo Dybala during his official unveiling in 2022. The club sent Totti an indirect message asking him to hand over the iconic number, but he declined. Totti's response was direct: "But you are all mad." Totti explained that the number 10 carries profound historical weight at Roma and cannot simply be assigned to a player without them first establishing a meaningful journey at the club. The retired captain acknowledged Dybala's quality as both a footballer and a person, but emphasised the significance of continuity and the bond built with the club over time. He stressed that the number 10 of Roma carries weight and would inevitably invite comparisons with himself. Totti told the club: "If you have the courage, give it to him yourselves. Nothing against the player — quite the opposite, I like him very much, and he is a very good lad. If you have this intention, go ahead, without putting me in the middle. The 10 of Roma weighs heavily, and it would bring inevitable comparisons with me. Dybala, if he is fit, can make the difference for you."

Gian Piero Gasperini spoke at a Roma commercial partners event held at Relais Appia Antica, addressing the club's atmosphere, the pressures of the city, and his broader philosophy on football and business. The head coach, whose side currently tops the league standings, discussed what it takes to succeed at a demanding Roman club. "I knew that tactically it is very demanding and difficult," Gasperini said. "But what counts in football beyond results is the demonstration of knowing how to work seriously. And that is always appreciated." Gasperini also reflected on Roma's recent fixture against Inter, praising the spectacle it produced under football's new regulations that minimise time-wasting. "It was a show. Also thanks to the new rules that now allow us to have no time losses and privilege spectacle, we are working well and I am very happy," he said. In his address to the club's commercial partners, he stressed the importance of sound ideas in business: "To make excellent investments you must have excellent ideas, it is the foundation for creating a business, and thanks to you also for the confidence you give to Roma and which also gives us extra responsibility." Gasperini revealed personal detail about a wine from his Cantina Gilli in the Astigiano region, releasing on 5 October. Named "Freisa 3-4-3" after the 3-4-3 formation that has underpinned his tactical success, he explained: "I chose this name because 3-4-3 has been my fortune and so I hope it is a good omen, with that system I have built almost all my successes."

Francesco Totti has revealed that AS Roma attempted to persuade him to present the number 10 shirt to Paulo Dybala during his official unveiling in 2022. The club sent Totti an indirect message asking him to hand over the iconic number, but he declined. Totti's response was direct: "But you are all mad." Totti explained that the number 10 carries profound historical weight at Roma and cannot simply be assigned to a player without them first establishing a meaningful journey at the club. The retired captain acknowledged Dybala's quality as both a footballer and a person, but emphasised the significance of continuity and the bond built with the club over time. He stressed that the number 10 of Roma carries weight and would inevitably invite comparisons with himself. Totti told the club: "If you have the courage, give it to him yourselves. Nothing against the player — quite the opposite, I like him very much, and he is a very good lad. If you have this intention, go ahead, without putting me in the middle. The 10 of Roma weighs heavily, and it would bring inevitable comparisons with me. Dybala, if he is fit, can make the difference for you."

Abel Balbo, the former Roma striker, has praised the club's attacking prowess in an interview with Il Messaggero, backing them to challenge for the Serie A title this season. Balbo said Roma are "beautiful to watch, entertaining and getting results" and predicted "an extraordinary campaign", though he acknowledged Inter remain the stronger squad overall. "Roma is the only one that can compete for the title," he said. Balbo reserved special praise for Dybala and Malen's partnership. On Malen specifically, he said: "He is a simple and effective player and the most difficult thing in football is to play with simplicity and he does it better than anyone. He's quick, he knows how to move, he attacks spaces, he sees goal easily. He is outstanding. He scores goals the way great strikers do." Balbo highlighted Malen's versatility: "He scores in every way. With great play or as he did against Torino by shooting from the ground. The striker is like that — he doesn't care how he puts the ball in the net as long as he scores and reaches the objective." When asked if Malen could surpass the 36-goal record held by Higuain and Immobile, Balbo said: "It's difficult to maintain that goal average but if others have managed it why can't he? I wish it for him because if he does it means Roma would get close to or even actually win the title." On Dybala, Balbo added: "Paulo is a champion and he always improves. This year he is doing extraordinary work, with him on the pitch the team flows better. He is magic and fantasy." Balbo also noted the importance of Roma's Argentine contingent, saying they bring "character and quality" and a "winning mentality that they transmit to the group."

Former striker Abel Balbo has praised Roma's early-season form under Gian Piero Gasperini, saying the team is entertaining to watch and delivering results. Balbo singled out Donyell Malen for particular praise: "He is very strong, scores like the great strikers and is functional to Gasperini's style of play." He also commended Paulo Dybala: "He is magic and fantasy; with him on the pitch the team runs better." On Roma's league position, Balbo assessed that while Inter remain superior, Roma are now the only side capable of competing for the title. Matías Soulé has earned a callup to Argentina's squad following a strong start to the 2026–27 season. The winger has scored 2 goals and provided 1 assist across his first 6 matches. Soulé will join teammates Santiago Castro and Leonardo Balerdi in the Argentina setup for forthcoming friendlies against Bolivia, Burkina Faso and Benin. The fixture against Benin on 6 October will be Lionel Messi's final appearance for the Argentina national team. Soulé marked the moment on social media: "Enjoying these moments."