There were plenty of tears as Daniele De Rossi said farewell to Roma after 19 years with his hometown club.
Serie A giants Roma opted not to renew De Rossi's contract and Sunday's 2-1 season-ending victory over Parma was a goodbye for the 35-year-old midfield icon.
Tears were flowing in the Stadio Olimpico stands and on the pitch in the Italian capital, where De Rossi – a two-time Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana winner – made his 616th and final Roma appearance.
De Rossi wore the captain's armband and was substituted inside the last 10 minutes to a standing ovation before Diego Perotti's late winner secured sixth position and a Europa League berth.
#DDR16: The tears start to flow at Stadio Olimpico as Daniele De Rossi embraces his #ASRoma team-mates after his final game in the Giallorossi shirt pic.twitter.com/WsoxwI9XGu
— AS Roma English (@ASRomaEN) May 26, 2019
After the match, De Rossi embraced all of his team-mates and outgoing head coach Claudio Ranieri – who will also leave Roma having returned following Eusebio Di Francesco's sacking in March.
#DDR16: #ASRoma captain Daniele De Rossi begins a lap of honour with his family inside a sold-out Stadio Olimpico pic.twitter.com/uC67Td8P0w
— AS Roma English (@ASRomaEN) May 26, 2019
Former Italy international and 2006 World Cup winner De Rossi then embarked on an emotional lap of honour with his family to salute the tearful Roma fans.
#DDR16: Daniele De Rossi kisses the ground in front of an adoring Curva Sud pic.twitter.com/3TgkEuLR8x
— AS Roma English (@ASRomaEN) May 26, 2019
