Pagani creates entertaining commentary of Roma's Verona goal; El Shaarawy laughs along

Jeremías Lazaro, a 2004-born midfielder at Argentine club Instituto Córdoba, revealed that Paulo Dybala contacted him via video call through a mutual connection to offer representation services. Lazaro declined the offer, as he had already signed with another agent, but praised Dybala for providing advice during a period when he was playing little. Lazaro said of their conversation: "With him I had a chat, we spoke on Instagram, I made a video call with him because, well, he wanted to be my representative. But I had already signed with my current agent. Obviously we remained on excellent terms, there's a desire to meet at some point, which will surely happen. But I'm really happy because he's a fantastic person. He gave me a lot of advice and, honestly, talking to him reassured me." Dybala founded a Milan-based consulting firm called La Favorita srl over two years ago, which manages athlete image rights, endorsements, and intellectual property across multiple platforms including artificial intelligence and blockchain-based assets like NFTs. The venture reflects Dybala's broader business interests beyond his playing career at Roma, similar to how Francesco Totti established his own management company. The arrangement shows Dybala is actively building a portfolio in sports representation and consulting, positioning himself for post-playing opportunities in football management and athlete advocacy.

AS Roma's pursuit of a new sporting director is approaching conclusion. Tony D'Amico is currently in Bergamo negotiating the termination of his contract with Atalanta, a necessary step before he can officially join Roma as director of sport. The two clubs have yet to reach full agreement, however, with D'Amico expected to forfeit certain monthly payments as part of the exit deal. Atalanta president Luca Percassi is reportedly unwilling to expedite the arrangement, which may delay D'Amico's arrival at Roma until 1 July, when he will gain full decision-making authority at the club. Meanwhile, head coach Gian Piero Gasperini continues to pursue English winger Mason Greenwood as a primary transfer target. Marseille has set Greenwood's asking price at €55 million. Should that move prove unfeasible, Roma has identified Peixoto (referred to as Paixão in transfer discussions) as a backup option. Complications have also emerged at Fenerbahçe, where uncertainty surrounds which of two candidates will secure the English player's signature.

Francesco Totti spoke from Istanbul during an EA7 World Legends event, reflecting on Roma's recent performance. The Roma legend expressed surprise that the club reached the Champions League, suggesting he had not anticipated their qualification. Totti also offered commentary on the Italian national team, though details of his specific remarks remain unclear. His comments highlight ongoing interest in Roma's competitive progress under current management, while Totti himself remains in discussions regarding a potential role with the club for its 2027 centenary celebrations.

Roma announced Gian Piero Gasperini as head coach on 6 June 2025, marking the start of his first season in charge. The club achieved Champions League qualification, with El Shaarawy among the goal scorers during the campaign. Gasperini's appointment came following the departure of Claudio Ranieri, who had managed the club in the 2024–25 season. The 'condottiero' (commander) has guided Roma towards European football's elite competition in his inaugural year, fulfilling a key objective for the Friedkin Group ownership.

Stephan El Shaarawy's future remains uncertain after the Roma forward became a free agent on 1 July following his contract expiration. El Shaarawy, who scored the decisive 2–0 goal against Hellas Verona that confirmed Roma's return to the Champions League, has attracted interest from newly promoted Venezia. However, a move to the Venetian club appears difficult to complete at present. El Shaarawy's departure marks the end of his time wearing Roma's number 92 shirt. Several clubs have expressed interest in signing him during the transfer window. Venezia have made him a priority target, but significant obstacles remain in negotiations. Meanwhile, Roma's connection to the transfer market extends to Tommaso Baldanzi, the former Empoli player who joined Genoa in January. Genoa, managed by Daniele De Rossi, is working to retain Baldanzi but seeks a price reduction from the 10 million euros initially agreed with Roma at the time of the original deal. The two clubs are in active discussions to reach a final agreement on Baldanzi's status. Details remain unclear on the timeline for either transaction.

Gonzalo Villar, the Spanish midfielder currently with Elche, took to social media to congratulate AS Roma on securing Champions League qualification after a 7-year absence. Roma clinched the achievement on the previous evening during a match at Verona, with El Shaarawy scoring a second goal in the victory. Upon the team's arrival at Rome's Fiumicino airport, where 500 fans gathered to celebrate, Villar joined the festivities despite having left the club in summer 2023. Villar's message reflected his enduring connection to Roma. He posted on social media: "Forever a Roma fan, well done!!!" The gesture underscores the emotional bonds that often persist between players and their former clubs, particularly one as storied as AS Roma. Villar's departure in 2023 marked the end of his time in the Giallorossi, yet his support demonstrates the loyalty many players feel toward the Stadio Olimpico and its supporters. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has led the side back to European football's elite competition after an extended absence, representing a significant achievement for the club.