Leonardo Balerdi

Analysis: Balerdi arrives in Rome after establishing himself as a regular presence in Marseille's back line and should immediately compete for significant minutes in central defense. The 27-year-old brings composure in possession, physicality and the ability to progress the ball from the back, giving Roma another experienced option in the heart of defense. His versatility across different defensive setups should also help him earn a prominent role during the campaign.

Aug 26, 2026

Returns to team training

Balerdi (calf) has returned to team training after missing the match against Strasbourg and is expected to be available for Sunday's clash against Monaco, the club posted.

Analysis: Balerdi has resumed full training after tests on his calf injury produced reassuring results, putting him on track to return Sunday against Monaco. The center-back was a regular presence in defense last season, averaging 3.9 clearances and 1.9 tackles per game, and should immediately compete for a starting role once cleared. His expected return would provide an important boost to the backline after he was unavailable against Strasbourg.