Ex-Arsenal youngster draws Ronaldo comparisons after incredible goal rush

BOLOGNA, ITALY - APRIL 25: Donyell Malen of AS Roma looks on during the Serie A match between Bologna FC 1909 and AS Roma at Renato Dall&apos;Ara Stadium on April 25, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Getty Images) — Donyell Malen has scored 14 goals in 18 games at Roma (Image credit: Getty Images)

A former Aston Villa and Arsenal forward has drawn comparisons with Ronaldo following an impressive move to Serie A.

In January, Donyell Malen left Aston Villa after just one year at the club, joining Italian side Roma for a loan with an obligation to buy at the end of the season.

Malen believes he can play his best football at Roma

PARMA, ITALY - MAY 10: Donyell Malen of AS Roma celebrates scoring his team&amp;apos;s third goal during the Serie A match between Parma Calcio 1913 and AS Roma at Stadio Ennio Tardini on May 10, 2026 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images) — Donyell Malen started his career at Arsenal before moving to PSV and later joining the Villans (Image credit: Getty Images)

Malen's latest exploits for Roma came in a dramatic late turnaround against Parma on Sunday, when he scored a 90th minute penalty to complete a 3-2 comeback victory.

This has led to fans approaching him on bended knee outside the Stadio Olimpico, while others have been comparing him to R9 Ronaldo online, according to The Athletic.

Since his move, Malen has spoken about how happy he is at Roma, claiming he is able to play his best football there.

Speaking to Sky Sports after the win against Parma, he said: “I’m very happy to be here, the club is fantastic and they can play my best football here.

“The pressure on the penalty was huge. It was an important goal for our season. We needed to win at all costs.

“I work hard every day to be here. My teammates help me reach these numbers.”

The Dutchman's goalscoring has dramatically increased following his move from Aston Villa, where he managed to find the net 10 times in 46 appearances.

Ronaldo of Inter Milan celebrates during the Champions League match between Inter Milan and Spartak Moscow played at the "Giuseppe Meazza" in Milan. — Malen has been compared to Brazilian striker Ronaldo (Image credit: Claudio Villa / Getty Images)

His current form is even better than the promise he showed as a striker in Arsenal's youth teams, where he scored 27 goals in 67 appearances across various youth levels.

Malen eventually moved back to the Netherlands to join PSV Eindhoven in a bid to get first team football sooner.

Following subsequent stints at Dortmund and Aston Villa, it seems as if Roma are capable of getting the most out of him.

Donyell Malen moved from Borussia Dortmund to Aston Villa earlier this month — Donyell Malen scored 10 goals in 46 matches for Aston Villa (Image credit: Getty Images)

TOPICS

Ryan Gray is a freelance writer, covering mainly travel and occasionally sport. He previously spent two years as Sports Editor at the Watford Observer before turning his hand to travel writing, with his work appearing in various national UK publications. He has gone from providing matchday commentary for Blyth Spartans to covering FA Cup and Euros finals, as well as interviewing the likes of Claudio Ranieri, Alan Shearer and Glenn Hoddle, among other big names.