Stephan El Shaarawy: Roma move the rebirth of my career

"Roma for me was a sort of rebirth also because when I arrived in Rome I came from a difficult period after my experience at Monaco," Stephan El Shaarawy recalls to 90min, six years after he first pitched up in the Italian capital.

The now 29-year-old was once lauded as one of the future stars of world football, with his stock exponentially high after a 19-goal season for AC Milan in 2012/13.

But after the highs of that season at San Siro, El Shaarawy's rapid rise to stardom was stunted by a spate of injury troubles - most notably a heel problem that restricted him to just seven appearances for Milan the following year.

By the summer of 2015, El Shaarawy was on his way to Monaco on loan, his reputation diminishing after further injury woes. That spell didn't work out either - he went goalless in 15 Ligue 1 outings - and midway through the season he headed back to Italy to join Roma.

"They welcomed me as in a big family and I have always expressed my feelings towards this club, which is like a second home, and these people," El Shaarawy reflects of that period in his career. "I was enveloped by an incredible affection right from the start and I continued to feel it even when I left and this made me even more happy".

Upon his arrival in the capital, El Shaarawy met with Francesco Totti, a player revered for his legendary career with Roma - one that yielded 307 goals in 786 club appearances. “I must say that Francesco was perhaps the only one of the players who as soon as I saw him put me in a bit of awe. Then knowing him you realise that he is really a wonderful guy, easygoing and very humble. It was a great pleasure to have played with him ”.

Totti's legacy at Roma includes his 19-year spell as captain - a period that ended when he handed over the captaincy to Daniele De Rossi, another player who enjoyed a long and storied career at the club.

“Daniele I would say is a true leader, a leader, a gladiator," El Shaarawy says of his former skipper, who retired from the game in 2020 and now manages SPAL. "Daniele was not only a leader on the field but also outside. For me and for many players he has always been a point of reference able to drag the team by always saying the right things at the right time. He knew how to charge you and was a driver who stimulated you so much. Francesco was a more silent leader able to drag you with his plays and his prowess on the pitch."

Roma are now captained by Lorenzo Pellegrini, who is the heartbeat of a midfield currently managed by the enigmatic Jose Mourinho, and it appears he may be following in the footsteps of those who went before him as skipper. "Lorenzo is also predestined for the path he has made. He returned from Sassuolo and they gave him the band. It was certainly not an easy pressure to bear because wearing the captain's armband here in Rome after Francesco and Daniele was not at all easy.

"There were high expectations of him and he took it upon himself with personality and great performances on the pitch. I have also lived outside, because for me he is a friend, I have seen a great growth on a human level and I think he has made a difference. He has found a great balance that allows him to have continuity in performance and undoubtedly he deserves all this ".

Pellegrini skippered Roma to glory in the inaugural UEFA Europa Conference League in 2021/22, a 1-0 win over Feyenoord in Tirana, marking the first major club honour of El Shaarawy's career.

“There was such a great atmosphere and even in the semi-final with Leicester at home, there was an enthusiasm," El Shaarawy beams. "Before the game, looking at the stadium, I talked to the staff and the warehouse workers and we said that it would be impossible not to win, because you saw the enthusiasm and felt the warmth of the people pushing you. 

"An atmosphere like this had never been created, not even in the semi-final with Liverpool, because with Feyenoord you really had the knowledge that you could win a trophy. These fans certainly deserved it because they always supported us, even in the less easy moments and they had been waiting for a lot to see a trophy. It was the right reward for us too. The next day I experienced some of the most beautiful emotions of my life, when we went around Rome by bus."

El Shaarawy was speaking to 90min Italy - the full interview can be found here.