The former Giallorossi goalkeeper lives in Florida and works as a construction entrepreneur: “Spalletti is a genius, while I never had a relationship with Ranieri”

When you mention the Colosseum, his eyes light up. “It was the first thing I saw as soon as I arrived in Rome; I was speechless.” Alexander Marangon Doni responds from the United States, where he has lived for years. He moved to Orlando with his family and built a veritable empire: high-rises, homes, shopping centers. His company is called “D32 Invest,” after the number he wore between the posts. In fact, when you talk to him about soccer, he lights up. “I don’t follow it much anymore, but I’m still a Giallorossi fan.” Doni was Roma’s goalkeeper for six seasons—150 appearances from 2005 to 2011—and when he talks about it, he seems to relive those emotions. You can see it in his face. “Spalletti was the best coach I ever had; we had so many laughs with Totti and De Rossi. As for Ranieri, though, let’s just leave that alone…” 

Doni, let’s start with the present. What are you doing today?

“After soccer, I studied a lot and started a number of businesses. I’ve been living in Florida since 2017 but I travel all over the world. I also have a sports center linked to Roma’s soccer academy, a gym, an athlete management agency, and many ventures in real estate. We’ve built more than three thousand homes. Plus, I’ve also opened an amusement park with my former teammate Fabio Simplicio.”

It was said that last year you were close to buying Brescia. How much of that is true?

“Yes, negotiations had begun. I was part of an investment group and I really liked the idea. But there were some internal dynamics that led us not to close the deal. Too bad.”

Do you plan to buy other clubs?

“With the fund, I’ve negotiated the acquisition of clubs in Portugal, Brazil, and Italy. Some deals went well; hopefully, there will be opportunities to do more in the future. Maybe even in your country…”

Let’s talk about memories. When I mention Roma, your expression changes. Did you leave your heart there?

“I consider it home. I fell in love with the city the moment I saw the Colosseum. Then Roma, the fans, the Olimpico. A dream.”

Spalletti put you in for the first time in a derby. A baptism by fire.

“It was October 23, 2005; we drew 1-1. I’d never played in the league before—it was incredible to make my debut in a game like that. I was 26; my entire journey up to that point flashed before my eyes.”

You also had a great rapport with Spalletti. Was he the best you’ve ever had?

“Yes. A genius. Luciano is a genuine, straightforward person. He tells you things to your face. But it was best not to make him angry—he might even slap you. When he yelled, the walls of Trigoria would shake…”

You had a lot of fun back then, though…

“You bet. We had a super team, made up of lots of Brazilians. We still talk often; these are friendships that last a lifetime. In the locker room, something happened every day. We laughed so much with Totti and De Rossi.”

Any anecdotes about the captain?

“Francesco was phenomenal, on and off the field. A single glance was enough to instill confidence in us. He’s a Brazilian in the making; he has moves I’ve only seen Ronaldinho and Kakà pull off—players I played with on the national team. But then, when we went out, it was a nonstop show. One night he offered a waiter a thousand euros to let him walk past the tables, jump into the pool in his underwear, and scream like Tarzan while beating his chest. I still have to laugh when I think about it.”

On a personal level, however, you faced a unique environment in Rome…

“It’s a wonderful place, but it has its rough edges and flaws. For example, the radio. Over the years, I’ve heard a lot of untrue things about me: they said I was causing problems in the locker room, that I wanted to leave, that I wasn’t a serious professional. All bullshit. Luckily, I could count on an amazing team that always supported me. De Rossi said the same thing in an interview. He asked them to stop making up false stories…”.&

There’s been a lot written about Ranieri too…

“I’d rather not talk about it; I don’t have much to say. For me, that was a complicated season; I didn’t play much. The coach and I, however, never had a relationship.”

Did he make you pay for accepting a call-up to the national team, when he thought you should have stayed in Trigoria to recover?

“I was fine and didn’t feel like turning down the national team call-up: the World Cup was coming up in the summer. I came back and no one considered me anymore. I was the fourth-choice goalkeeper; I trained separately. I was never given an explanation.”

Is it true you were close to joining Juventus?

“Yes, twice. Once after my first year in Italy, and again after my time at Liverpool. The Bianconeri were looking for a backup for Buffon; I would have gone there to compete for the spot. In 2006, Eto’o and Messi’s Barcelona also wanted me. I was one of Brazil’s top goalkeepers, so it makes sense that the big European clubs were after me. I, however, wanted to play all the time, and I was really happy in Rome.”

Do you ever go back?

“Less than I’d like. My brother Joao lives there, and so does my sister. I’d go back just to eat a proper carbonara. I’m very attached to the city and the people; I have fantastic memories.”

What’s your relationship with soccer today? You were forced to retire due to a heart condition.

“It’s changed over time. I had a cardiac arrest and my life was in danger. Then I started playing again with Botafogo in 2014, but after one season I had to stop again. It was terrible. I remember that for a while I was in total denial: I didn’t watch any games; in fact, as soon as I saw soccer on TV, I’d change the channel. Today I don’t follow it much, but I’ll always be a Giallorossi fan.”

Would you return to soccer?

“In life, never say never. Maybe I’ll do it as an investor—who knows…”