AS Roma has blocked players Paulo Dybala and Nahuel Molina from traveling to Argentina to attend Lionel Messi’s farewell match with the Albiceleste, citing sporting commitments and demanding travel schedules. The Argentine national team is scheduled to face Benin during the international window, featuring celebratory events honoring Messi’s historic international career. While manager Lionel Scaloni named fellow Roma winger Matías Soulé in his squad, the Italian club exercised its right to retain Dybala and Molina in Rome ahead of upcoming domestic fixtures.
Club Rationale and Travel Logistics
The decision to withhold Dybala and Molina stems directly from the logistical strain of intercontinental travel during a packed club calendar. AS Roma issued a formal statement outlining the reasoning behind the refusal, pointing to the physical toll of transatlantic flights combined with the proximity of official Serie A matches. The club noted that the choice was based strictly on sporting and logistical necessities rather than any friction with the Argentine Football Association.
“The club’s choice was based on sporting and logistical reasons, linked to the duration of the intercontinental journey and the proximity of official commitments,” AS Roma stated in an official release.
Impact on the Albiceleste Squad
Both Dybala and Molina earned status as World Cup champions alongside Messi during the tournament in Qatar. Dybala has represented Argentina since his senior international debut in 2015, while Molina established himself as a fixture in the national setup starting in 2021. Despite their long-standing presence in the national team dressing room, neither player made Lionel Scaloni’s active roster for the upcoming friendlies, meaning their absence from the jubilee celebrations is compounded by their exclusion from the matchday squad itself.
Conversely, young winger Matías Soulé received a direct call-up from Scaloni and will make the journey to join the squad. Soulé remains available for selection, separating his international participation from that of his club teammates.
AS Roma’s Tribute to the Argentine Captain
Despite keeping the two World Cup winners in Italy, AS Roma included a formal message recognizing Messi’s legacy in their communication. The Serie A club expressed admiration for the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner as he prepares for his final appearance with the national team.
“AS Roma expresses its deepest respect for Lionel Messi and his extraordinary career, and wishes him, as well as the Argentine Federation, an excellent final match,” the club concluded in its statement.
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