The Italy international was a wanted man after his impressive 2023/24 season at Bologna. Numerous big teams across Europe wanted to sign him.
However, once Mikel Arteta spoke to Calafiori a year before he actually signed him, the defender was convinced and only wanted to join Arsenal.
Now, the 22-year-old has shared the one piece of advice he received from one of Italy’s greatest-ever stars before he became a Gunner.
What Daniele De Rossi told Riccardo Calafiori before he joined Arsenal
Daniele De Rossi is an absolute legend of AS Roma and Italian football.
The iconic midfielder played 616 times for the Giallorossi and won 117 caps for Italy. He was absolutely incredible in his prime and was a great leader.
Calafiori began his footballing career at Roma and unsurprisingly, he looked up to De Rossi. He grew up watching him and shares an excellent relationship with him even to this day.
When Arteta called Calafiori to offer him a move to Arsenal, it was a massive decision for the defender. Leaving Italy for England is no joke – it’s a huge step.
Calafiori turned to De Rossi for some advice, and the Roma legend told him that a move to the Emirates Stadium would be a huge opportunity for him.
The Arsenal number 33 told BBC Sport: “He is one of my friends and I always ask him about my biggest decisions and he always gives me good advice.
“I spoke to him about coming to Arsenal and he said: ‘This is one of the biggest opportunities for you to improve as a player’.”
What Calafiori will learn from speaking to De Rossi
Calafiori is still only 22 years old, but his maturity on the pitch is already incredible.
The Italian has had a fine start to life in North London and has even become a fan favourite at the Emirates Stadium. But, there’s still plenty of room for improvement.
By interacting with De Rossi, we think Calafiori can add leadership to his game.
Francesco Totti was Roma’s captain for a long, long time, but De Rossi was one of the biggest leaders at the club throughout his time there.
If Calafiori can pick some of that up, he will make Arsenal even better than they already are, which would be scary for the opposition.
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