Running, character, and dynamism – qualities often perceived as lacking in Roma`s midfield. These attributes are central to the profile of Colombian midfielder Richard Rios, who stands out as Gian Piero Gasperini`s clear favorite to bolster the department, where only Manu Koné is considered non-transferable. Contacts between Roma and Palmeiras reportedly intensified overnight, with the Giallorossi club preparing to submit a decisive offer imminently: €30 million, including bonuses. This aggressive move is said to have sidelined other interested clubs, such as Porto, Fiorentina, and Atletico Madrid.
Palmeiras views this figure as the `base` for any negotiation, particularly because the player`s economic rights are shared among multiple parties: 70% belongs to Palmeiras, 14% to Guaraní, 6% to Flamengo, and 10% to the player himself. Consequently, the Brazilian club, recently a participant in the Club World Cup, would receive approximately €21 million from the deal. This proposal could potentially lead to a swift agreement, possibly finalized in time for the start of Roma`s pre-season training camp on July 13th.
Born in 2000 in the small town of Vegachí, part of the Antioquia department, Rios initially honed his skills in futsal. This background provided him with the ability to play under pressure and operate effectively in tight spaces – characteristics he now applies naturally on the full-sized pitch, a trait that has particularly impressed Gasperini. He possesses a distinctive technical style, having developed away from major European youth academies, which perhaps contributes to his more instinctive approach. After consistent progress in Brazil, initially at Flamengo and later at Palmeiras, he established himself as one of the top defensive midfielders in the Brazilian Serie A. He has also earned international caps for Colombia, notably showing considerable character by confronting both Lionel Messi and Nicolás Otamendi during World Cup qualifiers.
His statistics underscore his profile as a modern midfielder: covering over 11 km per game, an 87% passing accuracy rate, significant defensive intensity (averaging 2.6 tackles and 1.8 interceptions), and a good knack for making timely attacking runs (contributing 2 goals and 4 assists this season). These numbers confirm his status as a versatile and impactful player.
Beyond the pitch, Rios is also a distinctive personality. He reportedly learned Portuguese by listening to music and has gained significant popularity on TikTok for his spontaneous and humorous content. His appearance, including his iconic looks and tattoos, such as the large lion covering his entire back with the inscription `Winning mentality,` is recognizable. He`s also known for some spirited celebrations, notably one instance where he seemingly aimed to silence Corinthians fans. However, the story that truly boosted his fame in South America originated from a piece of fake news.
Several years ago in Colombia, a bizarre and entirely unfounded rumor began circulating: that Richard Rios was the secret son of pop superstar Shakira. According to this theory, which has never been corroborated by any party involved, the midfielder was supposedly the product of a relationship between the Colombian singer and Puerto Rican singer Osvaldo Rios in the late 1990s. The narrative even went as far as claiming that Shakira, then only in her early twenties, gave birth in secret and entrusted the child`s care to the father. Naturally, none of this is true. It remains a fabricated story that lacks any basis in reality but continues to resurface online periodically. A simple search for “Richard Rios Shakira” on Google demonstrates how the two names are still frequently associated today, highlighting the viral nature of the fake news.
