Riva's Stadium Surprise for Grandfather Moves Roma Players and Fans

Roma invited European indoor 1500m and mile record holder Federico Riva and his grandfather Nello to the club's match against Sassuolo, and the video of the surprise has spread widely, Corriere dello Sport reported. Riva, who turned 26 on 29 November, runs for Fiamme Gialle and began his sporting career in Roma's youth ranks before leaving football and remaining a supporter.

The club arranged the visit through Francesca Viola, a niece of Dino Viola who works in that area for Roma. According to the report, Nello had not set foot in the Olimpico for 20 years, and the match gave him the chance to return. Riva filmed the moment his grandfather realised where they were going; in the car, Nello asked the athlete whether they were going to the stadium, and the report describes his reaction as that of a child on Christmas morning.

The video follows the arrival at the Olimpico, the first chants and the club anthem by Venditti. Corriere dello Sport reported that many players were moved by it, as were supporters, and that Flavio Cobolli, described as a committed Roma fan, commented on Instagram with the single word "Noi" ("Us") alongside a heart.

In his own post, Riva framed the day as the fulfilment of a long-held wish. He wrote that he felt fortunate to have experienced it with his grandfather, saying that few people know his grandfather's happiness represents his own, and that the smile on his face showed it. He said being beside Nello in a place so dear to him made him the happiest person on earth, promised to treasure the moment forever, and called it the most beautiful birthday present he could have received. He thanked Roma and Francesca Viola for making it possible and said the day would stay in his heart. The report presents the episode as a social-media-driven story that reached players and fans alike.