Riccardo Calafiori has admitted he would like to return to Roma later in his career – but stressed he is happy at Arsenal.
The Italian came through the youth system at the the Italian giants, but left in 2022 having made just 18 first-team appearances.
4
Calafiori went on to join Basel, before returning to Serie A and making a name for himself at Bologna.
There, his displays caught the eye of the Gunners, who snapped him up for a £42million fee in the summer of 2024.
Since then, Calafiori has impressed at both left-back and in central defence at the Emirates, despite injuries preventing him from being an ever-present in his two seasons.
Nonetheless, he has still managed to play an important part in Arsenal’s first Premier League title success in 22 years – featuring 26 times in their victorious campaign.
The 24-year-old is now gearing up for the biggest game of his career, as Mikel Arteta’s side target a first-ever Champions League glory against Paris Saint-Germain, live on eSPORTY.
‘I’d like to return’
While Calafiori is targeting an historic end to the season with Arsenal, his long-term goals might take him away from north London.
Despite having three years remaining on his current contract, he has hinted he would one day like to return to Roma, where his progress was hampered by a near career-ending knee injury.
He told Italian news publication Corriere della Sera: “I’m happy here now, but I’ve left some unfinished business with Roma.
“I barely played for that team when I was very young. I’d like to return. Not right away, but sooner or later.”
While Calafiori admitted he has no plans to leave the Emirates anytime soon, he is hoping for a reunion of another kind with Roma in the coming months.
4
4
With Roma back in the Champions League for the first time since 2018, he admitted he would savour a clash against some of his old teammates.
Calafiori added: “I told my friends right away, after Roma qualified for the Champions League, ‘See you in September at the Olimpico.’
“I spoke to [Gianluca] Mancini, [Bryan] Cristante, and Lorenzo [Pellegrini]. I congratulated them because they never gave up. There were ups and downs, but they deserved it.
“And I’m overjoyed; it’s been a long time since we reached that milestone.”
In the meantime, Calafiori will have full focus on another European game, as he looks to deliver an historic double with Arsenal in the Champions League final.
The Italian has enjoyed the fairytale season so far, and called it the perfect scenario with the Gunners’ Premier League success confirmed days before heading into their final game against Crystal Palace.
4
On his emotions after Arsenal’s title success, Calafiori said: “I’ve experienced first-hand what I’d imagined since I started playing.
“Given how the season went, and the way the triumph came about, it was all perfect.”
He also admitted this was exactly why joined Arsenal in 2024, adding: “I chose England because few Italians have managed to win here.
“One of the reasons I chose England was the fact that few Italians have made a career here, have managed to win.
“I told myself, ‘Come on, Riccardo, get out of your comfort zone.’ It was a personal challenge for me. I can say I’ve made it.”
