Football Fraternity Reacts As De Rossi Leaves AS Roma After 18 Yrs

The 35-year-old had joined Roma in 2000 from his hometown club Ostia Mare, and has made 615 appearance for them.

Daniele de Rossi has decided that he will be leaving AS Roma at the end of the season. 

(Photo: AP)

End of en era. This is probably the only way one can sum up the feeling in Rome before the final two weeks of the football season.

Also known as “Mr. Roma,” Daniele de Rossi has decided to bring down curtains on his 18-year-long Roma career. Sunday, 26 May will be the last time he wears his Roma jersey, in the game against Parma.

The 35-year-old joined the Serie A giants in 2000 from his hometown club Ostia Mare. He has made 615 appearances and scored 63 goals for Roma.

Before that he started his professional career with fourth-tier Italian club, Ostia Mare in 1997.

The club released the official statement late night on Monday, 13 May.

"Roma and I chose each other. There is a lot of love between us, both now and in the future — even if it will be in another form." said De Rossi.

He rejected the chance to move into a director's role at Roma as he “still feels like a player.”

De Rossi will leave the club with the second-most appearances, only behind the great Francesco Totti, who retired in 2017 having played 786 games.

The football fraternity and fans praised De Rossi after his announcement.

De Rossi was part of the Roma team that overturned a 4-1 deficit against Barcelona in Champions League last season. He had also scored from the spot in the second leg 3-0 win at the Stadio Olimpico.

Roma legend Francesco Totti posted an emotional message for his Roma mate, congratulating him on his time at the club and wishing him luck for his future endevours.

“I wish you the best in everything you do ... because I am sure you will do it great, like everything you've done so far. I love you Dani,” wrote Totti.

19-year-old Roma midfielder, Nicolo Zaniolo also took to Instagram to congratulate and thank his captain.

Posting an image alongside him, Zaniolo wrote, “I didn't even step into our training ground yet when I received a message from you that said: 'welcome to the family'. Grazie capitano, it's been a great privilege playing with you.”

Roma also posted a video on Twitter from de Rossi’s last press conference for the club where every single player was present to applaud the skipper.

He had won the Coppa Italia in 2007 and 2008, as well as Supercoppa in 2007, with the club.

De Rossi was part of Italy’s World Cup winning squad in Germany, 2006 and also scored a penalty in the final shootout win against France.

The Italian was known for his tough attitude and approach towards the game. One of the fans took to Twitter to post the photo of De Rossi’s calf tattoo which highlights the same.

De Rossi is yet to announce where his next football “adventure” will be as he prepares to feature in his last two games for his club.

Roma will next play Sassuolo on Sunday, 19 May.