Roma has anointed it's successor to 'King' Totti
As his retirement approached last season, pundits and fans alike wondered out loud who would claim (or at least get closest) to his status as King of Rome. The most popular answer was Daniele De Rossi as, like Totti, he’s a Roman from birth and has spent his entire career with the Giallorossi. After him was Alessandro Florenzi, who’s in line to follow in their exact footsteps.
Everyone was wrong. The new King of Rome is not a Roman…well, at least by birth.
On Saturday night, during their captivating 2-1 victory over Lazio in the Derby della Capitale, Roma ushered in their new leader. Many may be surprised, but those who’ve followed Roma know that Radja Nainggolan is their heart and soul.
He wasn’t even supposed to play after rupturing his groin on national team duty this week. Not only did he play, he was the best player on the pitch, and second place wasn’t even close. Put simply, he’s the embodiment of a Roman gladiator mentality.
Daniele De Rossi will always wear the captains armband while on the pitch, as he should. He’s a club legend and a hero to many in the Eternal City. However, Nainggolan is in the prime of his career, and is proving to be one of the best midfielders in all of Europe. Like Totti and De Rossi, he has turned down multiple big-money offers, instead choosing to stay with Roma.
His hair, tattoos, and heritage aren’t what many associate with Roman natives. But when you watch him on the pitch, deftly controlling the ball in tight spaces, all the while ready to run through a break wall for the team, you realize he’s as close to a Roman gladiator the world has to offer.