Roma Reluctant to Release Dybala for Messi’s Argentina Farewell
Roma are weighing Paulo Dybala’s wish to attend Lionel Messi’s Argentina farewell against a demanding run of club fixtures, with Gian Piero Gasperini reluctant to permit the forward to make a long-haul trip to Buenos Aires. Nahuel Molina has also been denied clearance to travel for the occasion, which will take place during Argentina’s October 6 meeting with Benin at the Estadio Monumental.
Key dates and figures
| Item | Detail | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Argentina v Benin | October 6 | Messi farewell event at Estadio Monumental |
| Roma v Como | October 11 | Serie A away match after the international break |
| Dybala’s season return | Four assists in five appearances | Important contributor for Roma |
| Roma’s league position | 13 points from five games | First in Serie A on goal difference over Inter and Lazio |
The Argentine Football Association invited the members of the 2022 World Cup-winning squad to attend the Benin fixture as honoured guests, marking what is expected to be Messi’s final appearance in the Albiceleste shirt. Dybala has played 40 times for Argentina and shared the pitch with Messi on 18 occasions, making the invitation a particularly significant one for the 32-year-old.
Gasperini’s concern is the effect of two intercontinental flights, each around 14 hours, and the loss of three training days. Roma’s priority is maintaining fitness and preparation rather than allowing key players to make the journey solely as spectators.
The decision is complicated by Dybala’s close connection to Messi and the scale of the planned celebration in Argentina. Yet he has not been selected by Lionel Scaloni since September 2024, even as Roma team-mate Matias Soule has departed for recent Argentina duty.
Gasperini is expected to speak directly with Dybala at Tuesday’s training session before a final outcome is reached. The coach is already preparing his side for the trip to Como, led by Nico Paz, five days after the Buenos Aires event.
Roma enter that match at the top of Serie A, level on points with Inter and Lazio but ahead on goal difference. Their schedule then intensifies further with a Champions League meeting against Real Madrid, leaving little room for disruption in the build-up to two major tests.
