Velez president attacks Soulé over 2019 departure, calls for exemplary punishment

Roma and AC Milan are locked in a contest to sign Real Madrid forward Endrick in January, with the 19-year-old Brazilian having previously agreed terms with the Giallorossi in the summer before the deal collapsed. Sporting Director D'Amico and head coach Gasperini have not abandoned their pursuit and are preparing a fresh attempt. Milan, however, hold a significant advantage: the club has a partnership with Roc Nation, the agency representing Endrick's interests, since 2020—a relationship that has continued under current president Gerry Cardinale. Milan also brokered an agreement with Endrick over the summer before José Mourinho blocked a proposed loan move. Endrick has struggled for minutes at the Bernabéu despite Mourinho's assurances, strengthening Milan's hand as they sense they are in pole position over Roma. The Rossoneri will lean on their established relationship with Roc Nation and their existing ties with Real Madrid to attempt to secure the player in the coming months.

Manu Koné encountered his former manager Claudio Ranieri during France's match against Italy at the Stade de France in Paris, with the Roma midfielder sharing a photograph of the reunion on social media. Ranieri now holds the position of technical director of the Italian Football Federation. Koné and Ranieri were central figures in Roma's 2024-25 season and the club's comeback that nearly secured Champions League qualification before Gian Piero Gasperini's arrival in June 2025.

André Villas-Boas, Porto president, has backed Rodrigo Mora to become a top-level player at Roma following the Portuguese teenager's summer transfer to the Italian club. Speaking to Corriere dello Sport, Villas-Boas confirmed that Mora left Porto after a lengthy negotiation, with the move driven partly by the player's desire for more playing time amid intense competition at the Portuguese club. "Rodrigo wanted to leave and there was plenty of competition in the squad," Villas-Boas said. "He is an immense talent who will make the Roma fans happy." The 19-year-old represented a significant investment for Roma, and Villas-Boas expressed confidence he would thrive under the club's structure. "He will find his space and enchant Rome, I'm sure of it. He has personality and uncommon technical qualities and wants to have a great career," the Porto president added. He acknowledged that Mora had been an idol for Porto's supporters and a product of their academy, but the player's limited minutes prompted the club to listen to offers. "Roma was truly decisive in taking him," Villas-Boas confirmed. On Roma coach Gian Piero Gasperini's role in developing Mora, Villas-Boas said: "I think he is a talent technically among the best in circulation and in future, with the tactical work of a master like Gasp, he can become a world-class top player." When asked about physical development, Villas-Boas was pragmatic: "He can't become one metre eighty tall. And if you're talking about muscles, I'd say no—he already has plenty of quality in his feet."

Santiago Castro and Matías Soulé both earned their senior Argentina caps in a 7–0 friendly victory against Burkina Faso. Castro came close to scoring but struck the crossbar in the closing stages. Speaking to journalists after the match, the former Bologna forward reflected on the occasion with emotion. "I was nervous before the match, but once you get on the pitch you just have to play and be yourself. To be honest it makes me really happy, I feel so many emotions," Castro said. "After everything I've been through and all this time, I'm really happy. But the goal slipped away – the ball hit the crossbar. Lately I've hit quite a few crossbars and posts (laughs), but anyway I'm really happy and I just have to keep going like this." Castro's reference to recent woodwork touches on Roma's Serie A campaign. In the club's third league match against Atalanta, Castro struck the woodwork twice in what proved a narrow victory, with teammate Soulé scoring the decisive late goal. Both players have now made their mark at international level, with Soulé also featuring in the Argentina side against Burkina Faso.

Santiago Castro made his Argentina debut in a friendly against Burkina Faso last night, hitting the crossbar in the 92nd minute with a powerful right-foot strike from inside the box. The forward remains without a goal this season for both Roma and his national team, having struck the post and bar against Atalanta in Serie A. Castro has come agonisingly close to breaking his drought on multiple occasions. Speaking after the match, he said: "I was nervous before the game, but once you get on the pitch you just have to play and be yourself. Honestly, it makes me really happy—I feel so many emotions. After everything I've been through and all this time, I'm truly happy. But the goal got away: the ball hit the crossbar. Lately I've hit quite a few crossbars and posts (laughs), but anyway I'm really happy and I just need to keep going like this."

Mario Hermoso has become a cornerstone of Gian Piero Gasperini's Roma defence, and the club is already working on a contract renewal with the Spanish defender. Hermoso, who is out of contract on 30 June, shares the club's intention to extend their partnership. The former Atlético Madrid player has impressed through his ability to build play from the back, offensive instinct and aggressive style—qualities that align perfectly with Gasperini's football. Santiago Castro marked a special night by making his Argentina debut, coming on in the second half of a 7–0 victory against Burkina Faso. The Roma striker expressed his emotion at the milestone: "There are moments that stay with you forever. Representing my country is a pride difficult to put into words. As a child I dreamed of this moment, and today I can say it has come true." He added in the mixed zone: "Seeing my family, my pregnant wife… it's an incredible mix of things." Donyell Malen returns to Como aiming to score again, this time to carry Roma to victory. Gasperini continues to push his forward, saying: "No one thought the numbers could be like this. I always tell him what he has done is not enough—someone scored 36 in the past. But if he reaches 30 I am happy." Malen is currently exceeding that benchmark, averaging 1.20 goals per match, on a scoring rate that surpasses the historical records of Higuaín and Immobile.