Paulo Dybala received a hero’s welcome as 8,000 Roma fans gathered at the Square Colosseum on Tuesday evening for the player’s unveiling.
Fans lined the streets of the Italian capital as the club presented their latest signing. Roma managed to secure Dybala’s signature ahead of Serie A rivals Inter Milan and Napoli.
During the action packed evening, Dybala did his trademark celebration and thanked fans for the stunning welcome he received. The Argentine then sat down on the steps outside the Palazzo Della Civilta Italiana as the fans serenaded him with the club’s anthem.
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The famous anthem can be heard at every home game at the club’s Stadio Olimpico. Dybala looked moved by the spine tingling sound created by the fans who waved club flags in celebration at the Square Colosseum lit with Roma’s club colours.
According to reports, 50,000 people were watching Dybala’s unveiling on YouTube via a live stream.
The 28-year-old left Juventus at the end of the 21/22 season and signed a deal with Jose Mourinho’s Roma side worth £5 million a year.
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During his first press conference, Dybala spoke about the reasoning behind his exit from Turin.
He said: “I think the [Juventus] director [Maurizio] Arrivabene was very clear, we had an agreement to sign in October and then the club asked us to wait.
“In March the company told us that I would not be part of the future project. It was not a problem. Financially, the club made another decision together with the coach. I said that if this was their choice, it wasn't a problem for me.”
The Argentina international also recalled the conversation he had with Mourinho prior to signing for Roma.
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Dybala said: “The first thing I asked the coach was what we aim to win, I like to win, him too.
“Both Mourinho and the club have given me certainties, here there is great confidence and awareness.”
He added: “This is very important for to go forward and to pursue the objectives. I will try to give my best and bring my experience to continue winning.
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“I talked a lot with the director, with the coach and with the president, knowing how this team is being built, I didn't have many doubts.”
In terms of targets for the new season, Dybala admitted that the Serie A is too much to ask for the current Roma side.
He said: “I think it is too early to talk about the Scudetto, there is a great desire on the part of everyone: Roma won a very important trophy last year to have more ambition in the future.
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“They have grown a lot in recent years thanks to the players they are arrived with Mourinho. Our goal is to win game after game: I think there are teams ahead of us for the Scudetto.”
Dybala is likely to make his debut on Saturday as Roma take on Mourinho’s former side, Tottenham Hotspur in Israel.
Topics: AS Roma, Paulo Dybala, Serie A
Marcus Chan