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 blown away.” Alexander Marangon Doni responds from the United States, where he’s lived for years. He moved to Orlando with his family and built a veritable empire: high-rises, homes, and 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 as 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 on 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 up to these days?

“After my soccer career, 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 affiliated with Roma’s soccer academy, a gym, an athlete management agency, and several real estate ventures. We’ve built more than three thousand homes. Plus, I’ve also opened an amusement park with my former teammate Fabio Simplicio.”

It was rumored that last year you were close to buying Brescia. How much truth is there to that?

“Yes, negotiations had begun. I was part of an investment group, and I really liked the idea. But there were some internal dynamics that prevented us from closing the deal. Too bad.”

Do you plan to buy any other clubs?

“Through 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 right here 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 there’s 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 tied 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 years old, and my entire journey up to that point flashed before my eyes.”

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

“Yes. A genius. Luciano is a genuine, straightforward person. He tells you things straight 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 during those years, though…

“You bet. We had an amazing group, made up of lots of Brazilians. We still talk often—these are friendships that last a lifetime. Something was always happening in the locker room every day. We laughed so much with Totti and De Rossi.”

Any anecdotes about the captain?

“Francesco was phenomenal, both on and off the field. Just one glance from him was enough to instill confidence in us. He’s practically a Brazilian—he has moves I’ve only seen from Ronaldinho and Kakà, whom I played with on the national team. But then, when we went out, it was one 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 laugh when I think about it.”

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

“It’s a wonderful place, but it has its rough edges and flaws. Take the radio, for example. Over the years, I’ve heard a lot of untrue things about myself: 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 even said so in an interview. He asked them to stop making up false stories…”.& nbsp;

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 hold it against you 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 that summer. I came back and no one considered me anymore. I was the fourth-string goalkeeper; I trained separately. I was never given an explanation.”

Is it true that you were close to joining Juventus?

“Yes, twice. Once after my first year in Italy, and again after my stint 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. But I always wanted to play, and I was really happy in Rome.”

Do you ever go back?

“Less often 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 its people—I have fantastic memories.”

What’s your relationship with soccer like 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 at risk. 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 complete denial: I wouldn’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….”