Stephan El Shaarawy will leave Roma at the end of the season after ten years with the club, with the player confirming that the Derby della Capitale against Lazio will be his final appearance at the Stadio Olimpico. The news comes as Roma have informed El Shaarawy that they will not be offering him a contract renewal, despite his desire to remain with the Giallorossi.
El Shaarawy shared an emotional video message on social media announcing his departure, reflecting on his time in the Italian capital. He expressed gratitude to the club, his teammates, the staff, and especially the fans, stating that a part of him will always remain in Rome. The forward arrived at Roma in January 2014 and quickly became a key player, scoring 65 goals in 346 appearances across two spells with the club.
He initially spent four seasons with Roma before a move to China in 2019, but returned to the Stadio Olimpico after just 18 months. During his time with the club, El Shaarawy experienced both successes and challenges, including winning a major international trophy – the 2021–22 UEFA Europa Conference League – and being named captain. He highlighted the honor of wearing the captain’s armband as a particularly meaningful moment in his career.
El Shaarawy’s goals for Roma included a memorable brace against Chelsea in the Champions League and several crucial strikes in the Rome derby. His departure follows a season where he faced some difficulties, but he maintains that this does not diminish his commitment to the club or what he has given to it. While the future is uncertain, El Shaarawy has not ruled out continuing his career elsewhere, and speculation has already begun regarding a potential return to AC Milan, fueled by a message from Rafael Leao.
Unlike teammates Paulo Dybala and Lorenzo Pellegrini, El Shaarawy did not receive positive signals from the club regarding a new contract. Roma will reportedly honor him appropriately during Sunday’s derby, acknowledging his significant contribution over the past decade. His exit creates a void in the Roma squad, and the club will need to assess options to fill the role he occupied.
