AS Roma: Dybala and Molina will not be present for Messi’s final match with Argentina

06.10.26 19:00 Friendly International

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Paulo Dybala and Nahuel Molina will not take part in the event surrounding Argentina captain Lionel Messi’s final match. AS Roma announced on Tuesday that the two players would not travel to Buenos Aires for the match against Benin, scheduled for October 6 at the Monumental.

AS Roma officially confirmed its decision after several days of uncertainty over the presence of its two Argentinians in Buenos Aires. Invited to attend the event dedicated to Lionel Messi, Dybala and Molina will ultimately remain in Rome.

In its statement, the Italian club explained that the decision was made for “sporting and logistical reasons,” particularly due to the length of the intercontinental journey and the proximity of the upcoming competitive fixtures.

Roma nevertheless acknowledged the importance of the evening for the two players. Dybala and Molina shared the Argentina shirt with Messi and were part of the squad that won the 2022 World Cup.

A special evening for Messi

The Argentina-Benin match on October 6 is set to provide the setting for Lionel Messi’s farewell to the Argentina national team. The Argentine Football Association has invited several 2022 world champions who will not necessarily take part in the match on the pitch. Dybala and Molina were among the players expected to attend the celebration.

Messi is expected to use the match at the Monumental to greet the Argentine public after announcing the end of his international career. The match is scheduled for October 6, while several Roma players, including Leonardo Balerdi, Santiago Castro and Matías Soulé, are directly involved in the Albiceleste’s camp.

Roma already looking ahead to the restart

The club’s decision is also explained by the schedule awaiting the players after the international break. Roma are due to travel to Como on October 11, five days after Argentina-Benin.

A round trip between Italy and Argentina would have reduced the time available for recovery and preparation for the match. The Italian press had reported the club’s and Gian Piero Gasperini’s reservations about the intercontinental trip in recent days.

AS Roma wanted to accompany its decision with a message to Messi. The club said it fully respects the Argentine forward’s career and wished him, as well as the Argentine Football Association, a special evening.

Dybala and Molina will therefore miss one of the most symbolic occasions of the final stages of Messi’s international career, despite being invited to Buenos Aires.

Nouya M'toama

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Versatile journalist specializing in sports and political news, with extensive experience across radio, print and digital media platforms.

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