Wesley and Malen's viral moment with the Ponza ice-cream boat

Roma players Wesley and Donyell Malen featured in a viral video while relaxing on the island of Ponza. The footage, shared across social media, captured the pair in a light-hearted encounter with a local ice-cream boat attraction known as 'Il Barchino dei Gelati', one of the island's best-known features. The clip showed the players smiling, waving and enjoying downtime together in a relaxed atmosphere that quickly gained thousands of views and comments. The video was widely reposted by Roma fan accounts and social media pages, with supporters delighted to see their players taking time to unwind before returning to competitive fixtures. The moment generated significant engagement across platforms as fans shared their enjoyment of the pair's casual holiday appearance together.

Roma players Wesley and Donyell Malen encountered Alfio Boschi, the celebrated ice cream boat vendor who has become famous on social media for meeting celebrities, during an outing on Ponza. The interaction produced a lighthearted exchange, with Boschi asking Malen: "How many goals have you scored?", before turning to Wesley with: "And what pressure do you put on your opponents? Don't you let them breathe!". Boschi's ice cream boat has become known for its encounters with high-profile figures from football and beyond, regularly shared across social platforms. The encounter between the two Roma players and the Ponza vendor is the latest in a series of celebrity meetings the boat has facilitated.

Ponza, a Lazio island long kept secret by Romans, has emerged as an international destination this summer, attracting everyone from trekkers and snorkelers to celebrities with megayachts. Actor Enrico Brignano, businessman Flavio Briatore, and NBA legend Magic Johnson have all been spotted there. Johnson posted on Instagram during his Mediterranean holiday: "Ponza is too beautiful not to share with all of you." Ferry operator Laziomar reported growth in visitor numbers: 9.6 per cent in May, 4.7 per cent in June, and 8.7 per cent in July. Mayor Francesco Ambrosino noted the five-year upward trend but said the island must continue improving. Alfio Boschi, originally from Cisterna di Latina, has run the "Barchino dei Gelati" (ice-cream boat) since 2015, a floating kiosk navigating between Ponza and Palmarola that now employs ten people. Recent famous customers include Briatore and American pop star Joe Jonas. Boschi says he always asks celebrities for permission before sharing their photos. Past clients have included Andrea Bocelli, Stefano De Martino, Luca Cordero di Montezemolo, and Francesco Totti, the historic Roma captain, whom Boschi recalls jumping into the water fully clothed to greet. Naturalist guide Katharina Herta Urach, 34, an Austrian biologist who arrived ten years ago to study bird migration, now leads trekking and snorkeling tours through her business Upupa di Ponza. She observes: "There's been growth in demand for authentic, calm activities. I see a shift in how people approach the island—with much greater awareness, beyond just spending a day on a boat. People want to know the territory they visit." The Onde Road festival, running for fifteen years, combines street art and music in natural island settings.

Roma players Wesley and Donyell Malen featured in a viral video while relaxing on the island of Ponza. The footage, shared across social media, captured the pair in a light-hearted encounter with a local ice-cream boat attraction known as 'Il Barchino dei Gelati', one of the island's best-known features. The clip showed the players smiling, waving and enjoying downtime together in a relaxed atmosphere that quickly gained thousands of views and comments. The video was widely reposted by Roma fan accounts and social media pages, with supporters delighted to see their players taking time to unwind before returning to competitive fixtures. The moment generated significant engagement across platforms as fans shared their enjoyment of the pair's casual holiday appearance together.

Roma players Wesley and Donyell Malen encountered Alfio Boschi, the celebrated ice cream boat vendor who has become famous on social media for meeting celebrities, during an outing on Ponza. The interaction produced a lighthearted exchange, with Boschi asking Malen: "How many goals have you scored?", before turning to Wesley with: "And what pressure do you put on your opponents? Don't you let them breathe!". Boschi's ice cream boat has become known for its encounters with high-profile figures from football and beyond, regularly shared across social platforms. The encounter between the two Roma players and the Ponza vendor is the latest in a series of celebrity meetings the boat has facilitated.

Wesley has spoken about his second season at Roma following a standout first year, discussing the club's return to the Champions League after seven years and the adjustments required under head coach Gasperini. The Brazilian winger reflected on the difference between the competition and South America's Copa Libertadores, saying: "I don't know how it will be to play it. I can say that Libertadores is a very tough and difficult competition, but I don't think it can come close in absolute terms to the Champions League. The strongest players play here, there's a higher standard. For the quality of those who participate in it, I think the Champions League is a kind of club World Cup." He expressed confidence that Roma will improve after a demanding pre-season, stating: "We come from a fantastic season, now we're starting again, we're working hard to face the new season and if something goes wrong or we lose matches like those against Cardiff or Brighton, it's better it happens now and not later." Gasperini has adjusted Wesley's role, asking him to finish moves rather than just assist teammates as he did at Flamengo. Wesley explained: "At Flamengo I had to reach the bottom and cross or assist a teammate. At Roma Gasp asks me to finish the action. He wants this, for me to attack. And to be able to enter the area to shoot or do something different." With the arrival of Molina, Wesley is transitioning to a left-wing position, a move he accepts despite it not being his natural flank. On the prospect of Endrick joining Roma, Wesley said: "I haven't heard from him, but I would very much like it if Endrick could come to Roma, but it's up to him what's best for his future. I would like to see many Brazilians here at Roma. If someone like Endrick really arrived I would be very happy."

Roma players Wesley and Donyell Malen featured in a viral video while relaxing on the island of Ponza. The footage, shared across social media, captured the pair in a light-hearted encounter with a local ice-cream boat attraction known as 'Il Barchino dei Gelati', one of the island's best-known features. The clip showed the players smiling, waving and enjoying downtime together in a relaxed atmosphere that quickly gained thousands of views and comments. The video was widely reposted by Roma fan accounts and social media pages, with supporters delighted to see their players taking time to unwind before returning to competitive fixtures. The moment generated significant engagement across platforms as fans shared their enjoyment of the pair's casual holiday appearance together.

Roma players Wesley and Donyell Malen encountered Alfio Boschi, the celebrated ice cream boat vendor who has become famous on social media for meeting celebrities, during an outing on Ponza. The interaction produced a lighthearted exchange, with Boschi asking Malen: "How many goals have you scored?", before turning to Wesley with: "And what pressure do you put on your opponents? Don't you let them breathe!". Boschi's ice cream boat has become known for its encounters with high-profile figures from football and beyond, regularly shared across social platforms. The encounter between the two Roma players and the Ponza vendor is the latest in a series of celebrity meetings the boat has facilitated.

Roma are reportedly preparing a €40 million bid for Lyon forward Malick Fofana as Gian Piero Gasperini looks to strengthen his attacking options this summer. The 21-year-old Belgian has emerged as a top target after the club's pursuit of other wingers stalled. Roma have already signed Donyell Malen on a permanent deal and brought in Santiago Castro from Bologna for a reported €35 million. The club was also exploring moves for Strasbourg's Diego Moreira and RB Leipzig's Antonio Nusa, but those avenues have closed. Fofana enjoyed a breakout 2024–25 season but suffered a severe ankle injury that sidelined him for almost the entire 2025–26 campaign, raising fitness concerns. His explosive pace, direct running and ability to operate on either flank appeal to Gasperini's tactical needs, particularly after Roma secured Champions League football for the first time since 2018. Roma may face competition from Leipzig, who are considering Fofana as a replacement for Yan Diomande following his record-breaking transfer to Real Madrid. The injury layoff could complicate negotiations and make Roma reluctant to meet Lyon's full asking price. Jonathan Rowe remains another target the club could pursue, with discussions with Bologna potentially resuming.