Leonardo Balerdi’s two goals in Naples have turned a promising first month at Roma into something more substantial: a defender rapidly becoming a reference point for Gian Piero Gasperini, the dressing room and a support that has already found its latest cult figure.
Key takeaways
- Balerdi struck twice against Napoli after a run of increasingly assured displays against Torino, Inter, Genoa and Napoli.
- Roma signed the Argentine from Marseille on a €1 million loan, with a €16 million purchase clause that may become compulsory under agreed conditions.
- The 27-year-old accepted a lower first-season salary, taking €1.6 million plus bonuses after earning about €2.6 million in France.
- Gasperini described Balerdi as an exceptional addition, calling him another leader and captain within the squad.
- Messages from Mats Hummels and Aldair joined the online celebration, where supporters have compared Balerdi with former Roma defender Walter Samuel.
A transfer shaped by conviction
Balerdi’s arrival was not an opportunistic late-summer idea. Gasperini and sporting director Tony D’Amico had already considered him during their time at Atalanta, having identified the Argentine as a defender suited to the coach’s demands. A year earlier, however, Marseille’s €35 million valuation had placed him beyond reach.
The situation changed in August as Marseille faced serious financial pressure. Roma moved quickly on 28 and 29 August, after Ziolkowski’s transfer to Monza created room in the defensive department. Gasperini was clear about the profile he wanted: Balerdi, an Argentine who also holds an Italian passport.
Marseille accepted a deal worth €1 million for the loan, with a €16 million option to buy. That clause can become an obligation should Roma qualify for Europe and Balerdi meet a specified number of appearances, although the club’s intention is understood to be to complete the permanent signing irrespective of those triggers.
Wages had been a more difficult part of the negotiation. Ziolkowski had been on €1.2 million, while Balerdi’s Marseille deal was worth approximately €2.6 million, a gap made more significant by Financial Fair Play restrictions. The player helped resolve it by declining Boca Juniors and agreeing to a substantial reduction for his first campaign in Italy.
His enthusiasm for Roma was evident shortly after reaching the capital. “Many things persuaded me to choose Roma,” Balerdi said. “I had always felt something for this shirt. When I saw it as a child, I thought it was beautiful and I wanted to play here. Then I got to know the club, the fans and their passion. I had played at the Olimpico against the other team, Lazio, but there is no comparison.”
From useful change to defensive leader
The relationship with the Roma public began before the Napoli match. Balerdi had been among Gasperini’s decisive substitutions during the comeback against Atalanta, and his subsequent outings have added weight to the impression that Roma have acquired more than a squad option.
Under Roberto De Zerbi at Marseille, Balerdi had ranked among Ligue 1’s leading defenders for passing accuracy, completing 92 per cent of his passes. He also averaged 5.4 recoveries per 90 minutes and regularly served as the central point of the side’s build-up, with 82 touches per match.
Those numbers offered an explanation for the long-standing interest, but his early Roma impact has been expressed in more immediate terms. After his Napoli double, Balerdi joked: “With Gasperini, even I can score twice.” The coach’s response was emphatic, praising him as “an extraordinary reinforcement, a leader and one more captain.”
Roma supporters have responded with the kind of affection reserved for defenders who make themselves central to the club’s identity. Images carrying the phrase “Protect me everywhere” have circulated, while the nickname “The Wall” has appeared repeatedly, recalling Walter Samuel. One fan argued that Balerdi deserved a bust on the Gianicolo, while another simply welcomed him as the new Wall.
The acclaim has extended beyond Roma’s online community. Hummels and Aldair sent their congratulations, and Balerdi’s partner Giulia Ciancio wrote: “Seeing you happy is my happiness. Always vamos, my love.” For a player who arrived only weeks ago, the Neapolitan afternoon has given his Roma story a striking new chapter.
