Aleksandar Kolarov admits Roma will only realise what Daniele De Rossi meant for them once he leaves the club.
Roma and De Rossi will sever ties at the end of the season, despite the midfielder’s one-club status, and Kolarov confessed his departure would leave a void at Roma.
“I consider him a brother,” the 33-year-old told DAZN.
“The first game I played for Roma was in Bergamo, against Atalanta. Captains tend to speak before certain games, but he does before every game.
Aleksandar Kolarov admits Roma will only realise what Daniele De Rossi meant for them once he leaves the club.
Roma and De Rossi will sever ties at the end of the season, despite the midfielder’s one-club status, and Kolarov confessed his departure would leave a void at Roma.
“I consider him a brother,” the 33-year-old told DAZN.
“The first game I played for Roma was in Bergamo, against Atalanta. Captains tend to speak before certain games, but he does before every game.
“When I heard him talk, the emotion he put us, I thought, ‘he’s good!’
“I’ve come across so many people in my life, but I don’t know anyone as enthusiastic about a team like he is.
“I’m a Red Star fan and I wasn't lucky enough to play for them because our ambitions were too different, whereas he’s been able to play for the team he loves.
“We’ve often talked about our careers throughout the season. I’m almost 34 years old and he’s 36 in July, so we have him most of our careers behind us.
“He hoped to end his career here, but you all know how that went. The club decided what they decided and he’s already explained everything at a Press conference.
“However, in my opinion, when the new season begins in a few months, we’ll all realise what was Daniele De Rossi for Roma.”
The former Lazio left-back has seen his relationship with supporters sour at times, and he reflected on his treatment.
“In Serbia, it’s said that you can’t be more Catholic than the Pope. I’ve been here for two years and I can’t convince ‘romanisti’ that I am a ‘romanista’.
“However, every time I go out on the field I try to do my best: sometimes my maximum is enough, other times less so, but I don’t get cocky in front of anyone, that’s for sure.”