Lima visits Trigoria: memories and photos with vintage shirts

“Everything has changed here for the better,” he said. “It's a very impressive training ground. Gorgeous. It has everything you need to succeed. Back in my day – about 20 years ago – it was a bit different.

“I've also discovered the beauties of the club's Historical Archive where they keep memorabilia and loads of shirts.” 

The former midfielder was returning to the place he called home for three years - from 2001 to 2004, making 131 appearances for the club in all competitions - just a few days before Roma visit Lecce, another of his former clubs.

How long has it been since you last came here?

“It's been a few years and there have been lots of improvements since then. It's the perfect training ground for a footballer. The pitches and the dressing rooms are different to when we used to play here too.”

Is it just a coincidence that you've come back to Trigoria before a match against Lecce?

“I was in Rome and I thought it would be nice to come back. Lecce v Roma is obviously a special game for me because Lecce was my first club in Italy. From there I went to Bologna for a year then I joined Roma in 2001 after they won the Scudetto. It was the best time of my career. I was in a beautiful city in a team of superstars – [Francesco] Totti, [Gabriel] Batistuta, Cafu, [Vincent] Candela. I have wonderful memories.”

Are you going to watch Lecce v Roma?

“Of course. I'll be at the Stadio Via del Mare on Saturday night to see it.”

Roma were the first Italian team you played against in your career, in the UEFA Cup, while you were playing for Zurich.

“That's right. Coached by [Zdenek] Zeman. Roma went through thanks to a brilliant Totti free kick in the second leg. There was a chance for me to join Roma after that game through Cafu, who I played with at Sao Paulo, but things panned out differently and I ended up in Serie A with Lecce. The main thing is I got to wear this shirt. Roma is the European club where I played the most.”

Roma bought you from Bologna in 2001 and one of the highlights of your first season was that assist for Totti's header in the derby.

“I put in a perfect cross from the left and Francesco got up to score with his head. He didn't usually score goals like that but that was a really good one. We were winning 1-0 after [Marco] Delvecchio's opener. The second goal wrapped up the game and we all went over to celebrate in front of the Curva Sud.”

Can you tell us any anecdotes from that time?

“Seeing the rooms in the training ground reminds me of one. I used to joke around a lot. We were in the massage room and while I was lying on the ground I pretended I'd got an electric shock from a socket. Doctor [Mario] Brozzi got really worried!”

You wore the No.5 shirt in your first season. Why was that?

“For Falcao, who was one of my football idols. In the club archive I saw several of his shirts, both for Roma and for Internacional. I took some pics and I'll send them to him on WhatsApp.”

The following two seasons you went back to No.8, the number you'd worn for most of your career.

“Yes, I had 8 in Zurich and Bologna. I had 10 at Lecce but everyone knows who the Roma No.10 belongs to…”

Where do you live now?

“In Boston, where I have a football school with lots of interesting young players. I like my work and it's a chilled city in the States. I'm happy there.”

Thanks for popping by, Francisco.

“Thank you. And 'Sempre Forza Roma!' Always.”