tribute
Roma defender Chris Smalling paid tribute to teammate Georginio Wijnaldum as he celebrated scoring his side’s winner in Monday’s 1-0 win over Cremonese.
Wijnaldum suffered a broken leg in training on Sunday which could rule him out of the World Cup in Qatar later this year.
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The Dutchman recently joined Roma on a season-long loan from Paris Saint-Germain and was preparing for Monday night’s clash when he suffered the injury.
On a night when arguably English football’s biggest rivalry was in full flow at Old Trafford, 1,300 miles away in Rome, former Manchester United defender Smalling, headed the only goal of the game midway through the second half and celebrated by holding aloft ex-Liverpool midfielder Wijnaldum’s shirt in a show of unity.
Wijnaldum has been inundated with support since news of his broken tibia became public with his new team-mates using the phrase ‘Forza Gini' in support of the 31-year-old.
Roma head coach Jose Mourinho also paid tribute to the fomrer Liverpool man but launched a scathing attack on the people involved in leaking rumours that the club’s 19-year-old Ghanaian forward Felix Afena-Gyan was responsible for Wijnaldum’s injury.
Mourinho said on Instagram: “Sometimes football can be s***. In only 2 weeks, Gini became one of us because of his human qualities.
“Sadly, in a very unfortunate accident he had a bad injury that will keep him away from playing for a long time.
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“But it's not just football to be s**t sometimes, people can also be. Those who initiated the rumours that a top kid like Felix could be responsible for what happened are real scum.
“Let's all be together tonight: we play for @officialasroma, for @gwijnaldum and for @ohenegyanfelix9.”
Wijnaldum is set to undergo further tests in the coming days with no set time put on his return to action as yet.
Roma have won two games from two and afterwards Smalling hailed the latest victory.
"Another important three points with an amazing atmosphere. Already thinking about Saturday," he tweeted.
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