Alexis Saelemaekers played for Roma for just one season, last season.
The Belgian had a love-hate relationship with the Roman club’s fans, who booed him when he returned to the Olimpico as an opponent.
In an interview with Dazn on the eve of the derby, the Belgian began with this.
Regarding his return to the Olimpico as a former player, the winger said: “They didn’t accept my attitude, thinking it was against them. I understand; in their place, I probably would have reacted the same way.”
“To the Roma fans today, I’d like to say that I thank them so much; I’ve never had a negative thought about them. I’ve always given my all for the shirt I wore.”
Saelemaekers has shared a dressing room with several top players, and among them he also named a Giallorossi player: “Eden Hazard, who has always been my idol, and Modric amaze me with their humility off the pitch. You can also recognize champions by this. One player who has amazed me is Dybala. I’ve never seen a player so technically clean, his play and his first touch are always perfect, he never makes a mistake. I loved playing with him. He is the image of football for me.”
