Messi's final Argentina training session: Soulé's special message before goodbye

Lorenzo Pellegrini is poised to start for Roma at Como on Sunday lunchtime as Gian Piero Gasperini prepares a tactical masterclass against Cesc Fàbregas. The Roma midfielder has spent the international break working intensively at Trigoria to restore his physical condition and has positioned himself as a strong candidate for a starting place. The fixture promises to be a refined chess match between two coaches renowned for their strategic approach; the pair already registered counter-moves and in-game adjustments in their two direct meetings last season that shifted match momentum. Pellegrini's versatility is set to be the tactical switch of the game. Should Fàbregas confirm a four-man defence in his starting 4-2-3-1, Gasperini will deploy Pellegrini on the attacking midfield line, free to move between the lines and supply the attacking pair of Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen. This setup is designed to remove reference points for Como's centre-backs and break the opposition's pressing lines. Roma's current strength lies in their capacity to adapt to the opponent's reading of play. In their last meeting by Lake Como, when Como switched to a three-man defence, Roma suffered from defensive escalation and had to shift Pellegrini into an unnatural wide position on the right. On Sunday, Gasperini's response will be far more fluid and effective. Should Fàbregas move to a three-man line mid-match, Roma will redraw their attacking setup without losing balance: Dybala on the right, Pellegrini in his favoured left position, and Malen as the central pivot. This variety of solutions is also supported by alternatives on the bench, where Matías Soulé and young Rodrigo Mora offer guarantees to replace either Dybala or the Dutch forward in the closing stages.

Lionel Messi is set to relinquish Argentina's number 10 shirt after tonight's match, triggering a competition among the next generation to claim one of football's most storied jerseys. Matías Soulé and Nico Paz are the leading candidates to inherit the iconic number, with both young players impressing Argentina's coaching staff in recent fixtures. Soulé, the AS Roma forward, is among those being considered. He possesses quality, personality and significant room for development, making him a contender for the honour. However, Paz has made an equally compelling case, continuing to impress in Argentina's last two friendlies and earning increasing prominence in the national team's plans. Goalkeeper Dibu Martínez has already formed a view on the succession. "There are several lads who would deserve it. But the favourite is Nico Paz," Martínez said, according to TNT Sports Argentina. With Messi's departure from the number 10 confirmed after tonight, the race to become its next custodian has officially begun.

Roma's interest in Jayden Oosterwolde has not ended despite the dramatic collapse of negotiations last summer. The Dutch player arrived in the capital for medical examinations, but concerns emerged over his muscle injury during those tests. In early September, he underwent surgery with a recovery period estimated at around three months. Director Tony D'Amico and head coach Gian Piero Gasperini have kept Oosterwolde on their radar, with January potentially offering a second opportunity to complete the deal. Gasperini had already approved the move in summer, and both he and D'Amico continue to monitor the player's rehabilitation. The club has not crossed Oosterwolde off their list and remain interested in the former Parma player once he returns to full fitness. A recent encounter in Istanbul before Roma's match against Fenerbahçe showed the relationship remains intact: Oosterwolde greeted several Roma players and met with Gasperini, the medical staff and the fitness team. Roma are watching the progress of his recovery without urgency but without having closed the door either. If his physical condition provides adequate assurances, January could bring Oosterwolde back to the centre of Roma's transfer activity. The summer halt to negotiations need not mark the end of the story.