Roma deny Dybala and Molina Messi farewell trip before Benin match
Roma will keep Paulo Dybala and Nahuel Molina in Italy during the international break after Gian Piero Gasperini ruled out a trip to Argentina for Lionel Messi’s planned farewell appearance against Benin on Wednesday, October 7.
Key takeaways
- Dybala and Molina were not selected by Argentina but had hoped to attend Messi’s final international match.
- Gasperini decided the return journey from South America would come too close to Roma’s Serie A meeting with Como on Sunday.
- Roma face Real Madrid shortly after the Como match as a demanding post-break schedule begins.
- Messi’s Argentina squad includes Lautaro Martinez, Nico Gonzalez and Nico Paz, as well as Leonardo Balerdi, Matias Soule and Santiago Castro.
- Dybala has not featured for Argentina since 2024, while Molina is suspended following events after the 2026 World Cup final.
Roma prioritise upcoming club fixtures
The two Roma players have a combined 105 caps for Argentina and wanted to be present for an occasion expected to mark the end of Messi’s Albiceleste career. Gasperini, however, has opted to retain both players at the club’s training base rather than permit a long-haul flight for a ceremonial visit.
Speaking on Monday, the Roma coach said the proximity of Sunday’s match made the decision unavoidable. He explained that the flights to and from Argentina would involve too many hours of travel immediately before an important fixture, and that Roma had therefore chosen not to allow the trip.
The decision comes before a significant period for the Giallorossi. Como are next on the domestic schedule on Sunday, with Real Madrid to follow soon afterwards. Roma will look to use the extra preparation time with Dybala and Molina to build momentum through those two tests.
Messi’s final Argentina occasion
Messi is set to bring down the curtain on an Argentina career that has included two Copa America triumphs, back-to-back World Cup finals and the eventual World Cup victory. Gasperini said the farewell would be an emotional event and reflected on Messi’s exceptional standing among the leading players he has encountered during his own playing and coaching career.
Although Dybala and Molina will not be in the stands, a number of Serie A-based Argentina players are expected to feature against Benin. Inter captain Lautaro Martinez, Juventus wide player Nico Gonzalez and Como’s Nico Paz are in the group, alongside Balerdi, Soule and Castro.
Dybala’s absence from the national side has extended since 2024. Molina, meanwhile, is unavailable because of a suspension imposed after his conduct at the conclusion of the 2026 World Cup final. Their immediate focus now remains on Roma’s domestic and European commitments.
