Pellegrini: ‘I will remain if that is what’s best for Roma’ | OneFootball

Lorenzo Pellegrini thanks Claudio Ranieri for reviving his Roma career and ignoring the ‘lies’ spread about his role in Roma’s problems. ‘If what is best for Roma is that I remain, then I will remain.’

It has been a rough season for the Giallorossi in general, but nobody had a tougher time of it than the captain, who was openly blamed for the dismissal of Daniele De Rossi by a certain subsection of fans.

This saw him loudly jeered and insulted, including by groups who blocked his car outside the training ground, all of which was particularly painful to someone who was born and bred a Roma supporter.

With this in mind, Claudio Ranieri tried to protect him during his first few games, giving him a comeback tonight in the 3-0 win over SC Braga, where his goal opened the scoring.

Pellegrini: ‘Ranieri knows me’

ROME, ITALY – DECEMBER 12: Lorenzo Pellegrini celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with Claudio Ranieri, Head Coach of AS Roma, during the UEFA Europa League 2024/25 League Phase MD6 match between AS Roma and SC Braga at Stadio Olimpico on December 12, 2024 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

“This is what life is like at times. This period taught me some lessons and it was wonderful today to shake some of that off,” Pellegrini told Sky Sport Italia.

“I am happy, because we are continuing on the right path, then after that I can also celebrate a goal and the team performance. If you had asked me beforehand how I wanted this game to go, that’s what I would’ve told you.”

Ranieri kept Pellegrini on the bench for three consecutive matches without ever getting minutes, so how did that feel?

“It wasn’t easy, we players all know that being out on the pitch acts as a release valve. I trusted the coach, he already knew me and we had kept in contact over the last few years too. I trusted him and I think this paid off.”

Now that he has broken his drought and the fans did not jeer him at the Stadio Olimpico, does Pellegrini expect more playing time?

“I am not thinking about that. Aside from all the stupid things that have been said about me, we are a group of lads who train every day to give our best for Roma. I will train at 100 per cent, as I have done constantly in these weeks, and even more to help Roma win every match.”

Does Pellegrini know where all these rumours come from that he is damaging to the coaches at the club and could they push him to leave Roma?

“I am a very reserved person, I don’t open up easily, in front of television cameras or behind them. I will stay like this, because it is how I want to be.

“However, a lie said a thousand times remains a lie and can never just become the truth. I will always think of what is best for Roma. If what is best for Roma is that I remain, then I will remain.”

After scoring the goal, Pellegrini rushed to the touchline to hug Ranieri.

“It was a spontaneous gesture, it was not prepared. I hugged him because he knows who I am and I know who he is. I think today he played me because he knows who I am.

“He has been able to point us towards an important path, something we were lacking before, bringing calm and the support of the fans. Difficult times ought to bring us closer together, not divide us.”