AS Roma have prevented two of their Argentine stars, Paulo Dybala and Nahuel Molina, from flying to Buenos Aires to witness Lionel Messi's emotional farewell to international football. Both players had received personal invitations from Messi to attend his final appearance in an Argentina shirt, scheduled for 6 October at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires. The occasion is expected to draw a large gathering of Argentina's 2022 World Cup-winning squad, all keen to bid goodbye to their legendary captain.
Roma cited the physical and logistical toll the journey would take on their squad as the reason for not releasing Dybala and Molina. A return flight between Rome and Buenos Aires amounts to roughly 28 hours in the air alone, and the players would miss several days of training in the process. The timing proved particularly awkward for the Italian side, who face Como in Serie A on 11 October before heading to Spain to take on Real Madrid in the Champions League just three days later.
In a statement, Roma acknowledged the meaningful occasion for Dybala and Molina personally and stressed that the decision carried no disrespect towards Messi, extending its "utmost respect" for his career and wishing him and the Argentine Football Association a memorable evening. Neither Dybala nor Molina was set to feature in the match itself, with Dybala out of the squad and Molina suspended following the 2026 World Cup final.
What makes the situation bittersweet is that Dybala and Molina were not even in the running to play. Dybala was left out of coach Lionel Scaloni's squad for the international window entirely, while Molina is currently serving a seven-match ban after being involved in the chaotic scenes that followed the 2026 World Cup final. Their planned presence in Buenos Aires was purely to celebrate alongside former teammates as spectators.
Fellow Roma player Matias Soulé did receive a call-up for Argentina during the same window, meaning he will be part of the farewell festivities while his clubmates watch from Italy. Messi is widely expected to bow out in front of a packed Estadio Monumental in what will be one of the most emotionally charged nights in Argentine football history.
For Dybala and Molina, sharing that moment in person was clearly something they had hoped for, making Roma's call a difficult one for both players to accept. The club's decision has been met with understanding, given the circumstances. Messi's farewell game will be a significant event for Argentine football, and many fans will be eager to see him play one last time.
Messi's case for a record ninth Ballon d'Or is tied in part to his 2022 World Cup triumph, while his final Argentina appearance is scheduled for 6 October. The Ballon d'Or ceremony will take place at London's Palladium on 26 October.
Key points
- AS Roma refused to release Paulo Dybala and Nahuel Molina for Lionel Messi's farewell match.
- The club cited a gruelling 28-hour return journey and upcoming fixtures as key reasons for the block.
- Neither player was set to feature in the match itself, with Dybala out of the squad and Molina suspended.
