Alessio Romagnoli admitted his plan was to finish his career at Lazio as he flew to Qatar to finalise his transfer to Al-Sadd.
The Background
Despite starting his career at AS Roma, the defender is a lifelong Lazio supporter who realised his dream by signing for his beloved club in the summer of 2022. The former AC Milan captain was a free agent at the time, and had more lucrative offers elsewhere, but chose the Biancocelesti out of love, plus a promise from Claudio Lotito to adjust his salary if the club qualifies for the Champions League.
The Broken Promise
Maurizio Sarri’s men finished the 2022/23 campaign in second place, with Romagnoli playing an integral role, but Lotito and the board never fulfilled their promise. Therefore, the relationship between the parties has been strained over the past few years, making a separation almost inevitable.
Alessio Romagnoli Will Finally Sign for Al-Sadd
The 32-year-old has been trying to join Al-Sadd since January. The negotiations have already collapsed twice, first in the winter and then in July, but barring any unexpected late twists, it will be third time’s a charm for Romagnoli and the Qatari champions.
Romagnoli Wanted to Stay at Lazio Forever
After receiving the green light on Wednesday, the centre-back booked a flight to the Middle East to complete a deadline-day move (the market in Qatar closes on Thursday evening). At the airport in Rome, the player expressed his feelings in an interview with Sportitalia (via La Lazio Siamo Noi), admitting he never wanted to leave the Biancocelesti.
It’s the end of an era. It was a great journey. I’m happy, although disappointed with how it ended, but I believe it was the right decision for everyone.
Finishing my career at Lazio? Yes, I had told the president that, but then things turned out differently. Lotito’s response? None. He never heard from him.
Romagnoli Thanks Gennaro Gattuso & Lazio Teammates
Romagnoli reserved words of praise for Gennaro Gattuso and the Lazio squad, while revealing his desire to win silverware in Qatar.
It was an intense two months because it’s a great group, and the coach is a fantastic person. In fact, I’d like to thank them because they allowed me to train and made me feel part of the group.
The coach knew about my decision, which I had already made in January, also because there was never any negotiation from Lazio’s side.
Fondest Lazio Memory & Message to the Fans
Finally, Romagnoli picked his favourite Lazio memory, while promising the fans he’ll rejoin them at the stadium when the time is right.
My fondest memory? The first day I signed for Lazio.
I hope to see the fans soon. I hope the situation can stabilise, and when the right time comes, I’ll definitely go to the stadium with them.
Finalmente ….
Alessio goes to Al Sadd and it’s sad, very sad… He was never top defender like Nesta, but he was still very solid and devoted. Every club should care for such players, fans love them. I am no Lotito hater but I wish he would be just an owner. I don’t want him to make negotiations with players and make empty promises. He has sporting director for that. Give him budget, set a goal and let him work. If he fails fire him, but owner should not interfere with manager’s work. Enjoy being Lazio owner, ensure sponsors, focus on new stadio and maybe inject some money when needed but nothing more. Who else is running club like this? Lotito, ADL and…?
Absolutely agree that he shouldn’t interfere in this manner. This is, unfortunately, something that traditional chairmen in Italy frequently do, which leads to a scenario where if it fails, you can’t fully blame the TD, while a non-elected chairman you can’t send packing either.
Lotito being a businessman, senator and also being a chairman that wants to be involved in most elements of the club, all-in one. It hasn’t worked well being a chairman. But he has kept Lazio from going bankrupt.
This is the problem with Italian football. Lotito follows the same scheme that the FIGC has been implementing for years.
The hope with the Gravina resignation was to ignite a reform, but the wheels of Italian bureaucracy move very slowly…
Spot on!
As efficient as the romans were throughout a big portion of their empire, as inefficient and slow the Italian state and the bureaucracy surrounding it has become.
Building new stadiums for example takes forever.