Radio voices debate Dybala and Molina's attendance at Messi farewell match

Wesley and Malen, two key players in Gian Piero Gasperini's Roma setup, enjoyed an evening together at a Michelin-starred restaurant overlooking the Colosseum. Both players were absent from their respective national team selections due to physical issues and are working to regain full fitness ahead of the resumption of Serie A. With Gasperini having granted the squad four days of rest, the two Roma players made use of the break to unwind together. The meal was documented and shared by ARoma Restaurant on Instagram.

Santiago Castro has yet to score for Roma this season, with his playing time limited so far. However, Gian Piero Gasperini is counting on the Argentine forward from October onwards and is hopeful of goals from him as the campaign progresses. Castro's contributions are expected to increase as Roma's fixture schedule intensifies, with the head coach viewing him as a key part of his attacking plans going forward.

Wesley and Malen, both sidelined by minor physical issues and without international commitments, remained in Rome to recuperate ahead of the squad's return to training on Tuesday. The pair made use of a training session cancelled by Gasperini to spend the evening at AROMA, a Michelin-starred restaurant with a terrace overlooking the Colosseum, before Roma resume preparation for their Serie A match against Como on 11 October, which may include friendly fixtures to maintain match sharpness. The two players are working to regain full fitness for the fixture. Roma will prepare with a reduced squad during the international break, with Gasperini managing their workload carefully. The restaurant visit included the customary photograph with the restaurant's staff.

Roma's radio stations have weighed in on the club's decision to prevent Paulo Dybala and Nahuel Molina from travelling to Argentina for Lionel Messi's farewell match, with most voices backing Gian Piero Gasperini's stance but expressing sympathy for the players' position. The core issue centres on fixture congestion and recovery time. Gasperini has reportedly blocked the pair from making the intercontinental journey because they are needed for Roma's upcoming match against Como, with the travel and the nature of the trip—a farewell party as much as a football occasion—presenting a fatigue risk. Dybala and Molina played in last summer's Copa América with Argentina and featured in the same World Cup squad as Messi, making the event emotionally significant. Multiple commentators acknowledged the difficulty of saying no to a once-in-a-lifetime occasion, yet sided with the coach's reasoning. Francesco Balzani (Tele Radio Stereo) noted Roma face a potential UEFA fine in November that could affect the January transfer market, though there is no concern at the club's headquarters about European competition exclusion. Alessandro Fusco (Radio Radio Mattino) argued neither player should even request permission, stating they should prioritize the club paying their wages. Franco Ordine added that Roma has already faced criticism from the Dutch national coach over the Donyell Malen situation, where it remained unclear what physical issue kept him unavailable. Stefano Agresti supported Gasperini, pointing out that Wesley, Malen and Bryan Cristante had already missed international action due to fitness concerns. Nando Orsi dissented, calling it excessive to prevent them attending a one-off farewell. Roberto Pruzzo suggested common sense would ultimately prevail. Simone Valdarchi summarized Trigoria's three pending questions: whether friendlies will be scheduled, when injured players return, and whether Dybala and Molina will depart for Messi's match—with the unofficial answer leaning toward no. Piero Torri criticised the scale of praise surrounding Matteo Nicolò Messi's departure from Roma, stating: "It seems like an exaggerated level of excitement about Romano. Certainly Roma made a mistake in not securing a buy-back clause on this player—they didn't leave themselves a safety valve." The official word on Dybala and Molina's travel plans remained pending as of match day.

Roma's radio stations have intensified debate over whether Paulo Dybala and Nahuel Molina should be permitted to travel to Argentina to attend Lionel Messi's farewell celebration, with head coach Gasperini reportedly opposed to the plan and the club siding with him. The pair would return just 72 hours before Roma's Serie A match at Como—described by one commentator as the second-most difficult fixture in the league after Inter–Roma—raising concerns about recovery time and squad focus. Dybala and Molina both played with Messi for Argentina at the last World Cup and feel the personal pull strongly, but the consensus among most analysed voices is that allowing them to make an intercontinental journey so close to a crucial match would damage Roma's preparation. David Rossi on Rete Sport argued that professional players should not have requested permission in the first place: "They should have said, 'Caro Messi, you could have organised this on 1 October, we leave for Como on the 10th.'" He added that the club "always makes two weights and two measures" regarding Dybala specifically, suggesting he receives disproportionate scrutiny. Francesca Ferrazza on Tele Radio Stereo declared: "I wouldn't even send them to Capri on holiday now that everyone is leaving for these four days off, let alone to Argentina four days before Como–Roma." Piero Torri of Manà Manà Sport stated: "Molina and Dybala in Argentina would be counterproductive for Roma, returning 72 hours before the Como match. I think Gasperini and the club are absolutely not in agreement with it." Lorenzo Pes on Tele Radio Stereo said a decision would come "next week." The debate also touched on squad renewal: Lulli and Mario Hermoso are out of contract in June, with Lulli's renewal already under way through Pellegrini's agent. Dybala and Lorenzo Pellegrini are also approaching contract expiration, with much depending on how the season unfolds. The situation remains unresolved, with some voices—including Roberto Pruzzo—suggesting that "common sense will prevail" and that "common sense is staying in Rome," while others like Mario Mattioli believe the players will ultimately travel to what is described as a unique, unrepeatable event in football history.

Gasperini has built Roma's attack on Paulo Dybala and Matías Soulé as a partnership, though the pair have yet to share the pitch together in six league and Champions League matches this season. Soulé, returning from a physically gruelling 2025-26 campaign in which he scored six goals but battled pubalgia throughout, has now struck twice in the opening weeks—including a crucial injury-time winner against Atalanta—and holds the starting berth over Rodrigo Mora. Before this season, his last goal had come against Sassuolo on 10 January 2026; his previous strike was at Lecce on 31 August. He managed only two assists across that entire period, against Pisa and Stuttgart. Soulé's return to fitness represents a turning point for the Argentine winger, who enters his third season at Roma free from physical setbacks. Gasperini expects him to reach double figures in goals—a threshold that only Donyell Malen has crossed for the Giallorossi so far. The coach views this as non-negotiable; operating with a single striker over 10 goals is, by his standards, an anomaly. Soulé now faces a defining moment: to remain a capable performer or to establish himself as a genuine elite operator on the continental stage. Rodrigo Mora, the young Portuguese talent, has impressed in flashes but remains largely untested. Gasperini has publicly praised him, though he and the club acknowledge his tender age and the need for him to deliver goals alongside his promising moments. Mora operates within a longer grace period, but his trajectory depends on producing the numbers his talent suggests. Both forwards' form will shape Roma's January transfer approach. The club retains interest in acquiring another attacker—a priority unfulfilled in summer 2026. Luiz Henrique, Leweling and Gittens remain active targets. Director D'Amico has resumed work on the matter with conviction, though for Gasperini, performance in the here and now takes precedence.

Roma's radio stations have weighed in on the club's decision to prevent Paulo Dybala and Nahuel Molina from travelling to Argentina for Lionel Messi's farewell match, with most voices backing Gian Piero Gasperini's stance but expressing sympathy for the players' position. The core issue centres on fixture congestion and recovery time. Gasperini has reportedly blocked the pair from making the intercontinental journey because they are needed for Roma's upcoming match against Como, with the travel and the nature of the trip—a farewell party as much as a football occasion—presenting a fatigue risk. Dybala and Molina played in last summer's Copa América with Argentina and featured in the same World Cup squad as Messi, making the event emotionally significant. Multiple commentators acknowledged the difficulty of saying no to a once-in-a-lifetime occasion, yet sided with the coach's reasoning. Francesco Balzani (Tele Radio Stereo) noted Roma face a potential UEFA fine in November that could affect the January transfer market, though there is no concern at the club's headquarters about European competition exclusion. Alessandro Fusco (Radio Radio Mattino) argued neither player should even request permission, stating they should prioritize the club paying their wages. Franco Ordine added that Roma has already faced criticism from the Dutch national coach over the Donyell Malen situation, where it remained unclear what physical issue kept him unavailable. Stefano Agresti supported Gasperini, pointing out that Wesley, Malen and Bryan Cristante had already missed international action due to fitness concerns. Nando Orsi dissented, calling it excessive to prevent them attending a one-off farewell. Roberto Pruzzo suggested common sense would ultimately prevail. Simone Valdarchi summarized Trigoria's three pending questions: whether friendlies will be scheduled, when injured players return, and whether Dybala and Molina will depart for Messi's match—with the unofficial answer leaning toward no. Piero Torri criticised the scale of praise surrounding Matteo Nicolò Messi's departure from Roma, stating: "It seems like an exaggerated level of excitement about Romano. Certainly Roma made a mistake in not securing a buy-back clause on this player—they didn't leave themselves a safety valve." The official word on Dybala and Molina's travel plans remained pending as of match day.

Roma's radio stations have intensified debate over whether Paulo Dybala and Nahuel Molina should be permitted to travel to Argentina to attend Lionel Messi's farewell celebration, with head coach Gasperini reportedly opposed to the plan and the club siding with him. The pair would return just 72 hours before Roma's Serie A match at Como—described by one commentator as the second-most difficult fixture in the league after Inter–Roma—raising concerns about recovery time and squad focus. Dybala and Molina both played with Messi for Argentina at the last World Cup and feel the personal pull strongly, but the consensus among most analysed voices is that allowing them to make an intercontinental journey so close to a crucial match would damage Roma's preparation. David Rossi on Rete Sport argued that professional players should not have requested permission in the first place: "They should have said, 'Caro Messi, you could have organised this on 1 October, we leave for Como on the 10th.'" He added that the club "always makes two weights and two measures" regarding Dybala specifically, suggesting he receives disproportionate scrutiny. Francesca Ferrazza on Tele Radio Stereo declared: "I wouldn't even send them to Capri on holiday now that everyone is leaving for these four days off, let alone to Argentina four days before Como–Roma." Piero Torri of Manà Manà Sport stated: "Molina and Dybala in Argentina would be counterproductive for Roma, returning 72 hours before the Como match. I think Gasperini and the club are absolutely not in agreement with it." Lorenzo Pes on Tele Radio Stereo said a decision would come "next week." The debate also touched on squad renewal: Lulli and Mario Hermoso are out of contract in June, with Lulli's renewal already under way through Pellegrini's agent. Dybala and Lorenzo Pellegrini are also approaching contract expiration, with much depending on how the season unfolds. The situation remains unresolved, with some voices—including Roberto Pruzzo—suggesting that "common sense will prevail" and that "common sense is staying in Rome," while others like Mario Mattioli believe the players will ultimately travel to what is described as a unique, unrepeatable event in football history.

Paulo Dybala and Nahuel Molina have been invited to Argentina to participate in Lionel Messi's farewell match for the national team, creating a dilemma for Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini ahead of a crucial Serie A fixture. The pair, both World Cup winners with Messi, face a choice heavy with emotional and sporting weight: attend one of the defining moments in their football lives, or remain available for Roma's trip to Como just days after the international break ends. The timing presents a genuine problem for Gasperini. The event falls only a few days before the league resumes, requiring Dybala and Molina to undertake an intercontinental journey, endure long flight times, navigate a significant time difference, and return with minimal recovery time before a match Roma cannot afford to lose. Como have begun the season as one of the most ambitious sides in Serie A and represent a direct rival for the top positions in the table. Gasperini has not yet given the green light for either player's departure; his preference would be to keep both at Trigoria during this three-week domestic break. However, a flat refusal carries its own risk. For Dybala, the personal dimension cuts deeper—he has not been called up to Argentina's official windows recently, and the chance to stand beside Messi on the day of his exit from international football holds obvious significance. For Molina, a World Cup winner and integral member of that group, the emotional pull is equally strong. Gasperini has constructed much of Roma's strong start on group cohesion and mutual trust between coach and players. A firm rejection could leave some friction at a delicate moment. Dybala has been heavily used in this opening segment of the season, and Roma have worked extensively to restore the physical consistency that eluded him in recent years. Exposing him to a transatlantic journey and a time-zone shift so close to Como would be a risk the club's staff prefers to avoid. Molina has only recently found continuity and condition after a more complicated pre-season. A compromise solution might involve granting permission while asking both players to manage their involvement with extreme caution, avoiding any overexertion and planning travel and return in precise detail. No definitive decision has yet been made. Gasperini knows what he wants as coach; Dybala and Molina know that opportunities like this come once in a lifetime. The tension lies not between one match and another, but between the heart of Argentina and Roma's immediate interests. A final answer is expected in the coming days.

Wesley and Malen, two key players in Gian Piero Gasperini's Roma setup, enjoyed an evening together at a Michelin-starred restaurant overlooking the Colosseum. Both players were absent from their respective national team selections due to physical issues and are working to regain full fitness ahead of the resumption of Serie A. With Gasperini having granted the squad four days of rest, the two Roma players made use of the break to unwind together. The meal was documented and shared by ARoma Restaurant on Instagram.

Wesley and Malen, both sidelined by minor physical issues and without international commitments, remained in Rome to recuperate ahead of the squad's return to training on Tuesday. The pair made use of a training session cancelled by Gasperini to spend the evening at AROMA, a Michelin-starred restaurant with a terrace overlooking the Colosseum, before Roma resume preparation for their Serie A match against Como on 11 October, which may include friendly fixtures to maintain match sharpness. The two players are working to regain full fitness for the fixture. Roma will prepare with a reduced squad during the international break, with Gasperini managing their workload carefully. The restaurant visit included the customary photograph with the restaurant's staff.

Roma's radio stations have weighed in on the club's decision to prevent Paulo Dybala and Nahuel Molina from travelling to Argentina for Lionel Messi's farewell match, with most voices backing Gian Piero Gasperini's stance but expressing sympathy for the players' position. The core issue centres on fixture congestion and recovery time. Gasperini has reportedly blocked the pair from making the intercontinental journey because they are needed for Roma's upcoming match against Como, with the travel and the nature of the trip—a farewell party as much as a football occasion—presenting a fatigue risk. Dybala and Molina played in last summer's Copa América with Argentina and featured in the same World Cup squad as Messi, making the event emotionally significant. Multiple commentators acknowledged the difficulty of saying no to a once-in-a-lifetime occasion, yet sided with the coach's reasoning. Francesco Balzani (Tele Radio Stereo) noted Roma face a potential UEFA fine in November that could affect the January transfer market, though there is no concern at the club's headquarters about European competition exclusion. Alessandro Fusco (Radio Radio Mattino) argued neither player should even request permission, stating they should prioritize the club paying their wages. Franco Ordine added that Roma has already faced criticism from the Dutch national coach over the Donyell Malen situation, where it remained unclear what physical issue kept him unavailable. Stefano Agresti supported Gasperini, pointing out that Wesley, Malen and Bryan Cristante had already missed international action due to fitness concerns. Nando Orsi dissented, calling it excessive to prevent them attending a one-off farewell. Roberto Pruzzo suggested common sense would ultimately prevail. Simone Valdarchi summarized Trigoria's three pending questions: whether friendlies will be scheduled, when injured players return, and whether Dybala and Molina will depart for Messi's match—with the unofficial answer leaning toward no. Piero Torri criticised the scale of praise surrounding Matteo Nicolò Messi's departure from Roma, stating: "It seems like an exaggerated level of excitement about Romano. Certainly Roma made a mistake in not securing a buy-back clause on this player—they didn't leave themselves a safety valve." The official word on Dybala and Molina's travel plans remained pending as of match day.