Roma have chosen to keep Paulo Dybala and Nahuel Molina in Italy rather than release them for Argentina’s special event around the match with Benin on 6 October, placing the demands of the club calendar ahead of an intercontinental journey.
The decision
Dybala and Molina had been invited to take part in the occasion, which carries particular meaning for Lionel Messi. Both Roma players were members of Argentina’s World Cup-winning squad in Qatar in 2022 and share that landmark with the captain.
The club acknowledged the significance of the gathering for the two players and expressed respect for Messi’s career, while wishing him and the Argentine Football Association a memorable evening. But Roma judged that the length of the trip, combined with the proximity of competitive fixtures, made their absence the appropriate sporting and logistical choice.
The priority is to have Dybala and Molina available in the best possible condition when domestic football resumes. Roma face an away match at Como after the international break, and the club have opted against adding long-haul travel to the players’ schedule.
Sunday’s picture
Roma will still have representation in the Argentina camp during this break. Matias Soulé, Leonardo Balerdi and Santiago Castro have been called up by the Selección and are expected to be involved in the programme that includes Argentina against Benin on 6 October.
It leaves Roma balancing two realities of the international window: recognition for players called into the world champions’ squad, and a firm club decision to protect two established Argentina internationals ahead of the next Serie A chapter at Como.
