Start of a new chapter: Daniele De Rossi joins Boca Juniors

Being a homegrown player to a football club is a special feeling. Idolizing the team, you grew up watching and loving. Becoming a part of that team is a greater feeling for anyone. Daniele De Rossi was one of the fortunate people who was able to fulfill that dream. The Roma player was born on July 23, 1983 in Rome, Italy. De Rossi followed in the footsteps of his father, Alberto De Rossi, who was also a player of AS Roma and the current coach of the Primavera team, going through the youth ranks.

De Rossi started as a defender or sweeper, went to a false attacking midfielder, and then established himself as permanent player of the squad. The midfielder excelled in the youth system and his first-team debut came in 2001, when he was just 18 years old. Since that time, he went on to be a part of Roma’s first team for 18 years, establishing himself as one of the best midfielders ever to play for the club.

In his 18-year playing career with Roma, De Rossi established himself as a leader of the club. He had the ability to break down the opposition’s plays, establishing himself as a skilled box to box player. The Roman was very versatile, tactically intelligent and able to play various positions in the midfield. He was never scared of his opponents and would always challenge them fearlessly. Most fans and media would go on to remember him as Capitan Futuro which means Future Captain in Italian.

Due to the dedication and leadership he left on the pitch, most fans and media envisioned the homegrown player to take over as captain of the club once Francesco Totti retired. At the start of 2017-2018 campaign, De Rossi took this reign and became the captain of the club.