Como Signs Roberta Picchi to New Deal Amid Cancer Battle
Como have tied Roberta Picchi to a new long-term contract just as the veteran forward begins treatment for breast cancer, turning a landmark summer for the club into something far more personal and profound.
The newly promoted side, preparing for their first-ever season in the women's Serie A, confirmed that Picchi’s deal has been extended until the end of the 2027-28 campaign. The club framed the decision as part of their “continued commitment” to a player who helped drag them into the top flight – and who now faces a very different kind of battle.
Picchi, 34, is set to start cancer treatment with Como’s medical staff working alongside the specialists overseeing her care. The club moved quickly to make clear that, whatever happens on the pitch, she remains firmly at the heart of their project.
“Everyone at Como 1907 is alongside Roberta and will give her and her family all the support they need during the months ahead,” read a club statement. They also urged that her privacy be respected as she focuses on treatment and recovery.
Picchi was a key figure in last season’s charge out of Serie B, as Como stormed to the title and finished 11 points clear of Lumezzane to secure their first promotion to the top tier of Italian women’s football. Her goals, leadership and experience helped shape a side now coached by Selena Mazzantini into champions.
Now the narrative shifts from promotion races to something far more raw. Picchi addressed her diagnosis on social media with the same steel that has marked her career.
“Nothing should ever be taken for granted, and I feel fortunate,” she wrote. “It’s time to play my match, but I’ll be back even more determined.”
As Como prepare to step into Serie A with an opening fixture against AC Milan on 26 September, their debut season already carries a different weight. The club will chase points and survival, but they will do so with one of their leaders fighting a parallel contest – one that matters more than any league table.
