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.
Story Coverage5 sources on this story
AS Roma have rejected requests from Paulo Dybala and Nahuel Molina to travel to Buenos Aires for Lionel Messi's farewell international match against Benin on 6 October at the Monumental stadium. Both players, who won the 2022 World Cup alongside Messi, had hoped to attend the symbolic occasion with their families. The core obstacle is logistics: the round trip requires over 22,000 kilometres of travel and more than 26 hours of flying across a double time zone, leaving the players roughly 72 hours to recover before Roma's Serie A fixture at Como on 11 October—a match the club views as crucial to their season prospects.
Reports differ on whether Gasperini actively blocked the trip or whether Roma's hierarchy made the decision independently. Some outlets state Gasperini was "decisive in his opposition" and that the club sided with him; others note that reporting suggesting Gasperini had taken a firm stance "does not reflect his actual position" and that the club itself harbours the reservations over player welfare and recovery time. The decision reflects broader Italian concern: both Inter and Fiorentina have formally registered disapproval with the Argentine Football Association over the fixture's timing during the European campaign. Dybala, who has enjoyed rare physical consistency this season, and Molina, who is building rhythm after a slower start, represent players Roma does not wish to jeopardise through such an arduous journey. Three other Roma squad members—Matías Soulé, Santiago Castro and Leonardo Balerdi—will attend as part of the Argentina national squad.
AI synthesis of all sources below — always check the originals.
Testo Originale / Source Text
“Prosegue il nostro appuntamento giornaliero dedicato al variopinto mondo delle radio romane. On Air, la rubrica più copiata (e incollata) del web, è un viaggio per le frequenze più ascoltate dai tifosi giallorossi a caccia di pensieri, notizie, indiscrezioni e qualche nota di colore. Buon…”
Read the full article in Italian at GialloRossi.net.