Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori revealed he has ‘unfinished business’ at Roma and wants to return to his boyhood club ‘sooner or later’.
Calafiori came through the Roma academy but made only 18 appearances in all competitions for the Italian side.
A brief loan spell at Genoa was followed by a permanent move to Basel before the Italian defender returned to Serie A at Bologna.
Calafiori’s performances there quickly caught the eye of Arsenal, who brought the defender to north London for £42million in the summer of 2024.
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And while injuries and competition have prevented Calafiori from becoming a nailed-on starter under Mikel Arteta, the 24-year-old still played an important role in helping the Gunners lift their first Premier League title in 22 years.
‘Yes, I’ve experienced firsthand what I’d imagined since I started playing,’ he told Italian publication Corriere della Sera when asked about the emotions of winning his first league title.
‘Given how the season went, and the way the triumph came about, it was all perfect.’
On the move to England two years ago, he added: ‘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.’
And while Calafiori can add to his trophy cabinet this weekend with victory in the Champions League final, the Italian already has one eye on his long-term future and a potential return to his homeland.
‘I’m happy here now, but I’ve left some unfinished business with Roma,’ Calafiori added.
‘I barely played for that team when I was very young. I’d like to return. Not right away, but sooner or later.’
And with Roma back in the Champions League for the first time since 2018, Calafiori is hoping for a match-up against some of his former teammates next season.
‘I told my friends right away, after Roma qualified for the Champions League: ‘See you in September at the Olimpico’,’ he said.
‘I spoke to Mancini, 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.’
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