Daniele De Rossi is “proud and fortunate to have played 500 games in a Roma shirt” and thanked fans for their banner.
The midfielder starts today’s Serie A clash with Empoli, which is his 500th for the club.
“It is an emotional moment, because you look back over all the stages that got you to this point,” De Rossi told reporters at the Stadio Olimpico.
Daniele De Rossi is “proud and fortunate to have played 500 games in a Roma shirt” and thanked fans for their banner.
The midfielder starts today’s Serie A clash with Empoli, which is his 500th for the club.
“It is an emotional moment, because you look back over all the stages that got you to this point,” De Rossi told reporters at the Stadio Olimpico.
“You remember all those other moments, including what I saw today at the Colosseum, and that makes you think that you did something right.
“I want to leave something even better in my history with this club.”
Fans placed a giant banner across the road near the Colosseum congratulating ‘Future Captain’ De Rossi.
However, the ultras are boycotting the Curva Sud after local authorities decided to split their section with a barrier to increase security.
“The fans are the ones who made me fall in love with this sport and this team. Despite my advancing age, they still know how to get to me with gestures like that banner. I feel proud and fortunate to have played 500 games with them by my side.
“I would’ve preferred them to be here close to us during the game. I hope there can be a middle ground they can meet on, because we really need our fans.
“We often talk about it between teammates in the locker room. We really miss them and it’s not easy to play without their support.
“Today we have to not underestimate a side that plays better than many small clubs. If we take the right approach, it’ll be a victory, otherwise we’ll have a horrible Saturday evening.
“We are convinced that Roma are equipped to win the Scudetto, but being capable of it and actually winning are two different things.
“Aside from being my personal dream, it is the dream of the entire city to take the title. It’s time we ended that wait. We deserve that next step and only time will tell if this is the right year.”