Italian club Roma has announced that it will not allow players Paulo Dybala and Nahuel Molina to attend Lionel Messi's farewell match with Argentina on October 6. The match is a friendly against Benin at the Monumental Stadium. Roma cited the long travel distance and upcoming team commitments as reasons for their decision. Dybala and Molina were part of Argentina's World Cup-winning squad in 2022.
The farewell match for Messi, who has played for Argentina since 2005, will be a significant event. Messi has played 207 matches for Argentina, scoring 125 goals. He led Argentina to World Cup victory in 2022 and has won the Copa America twice. Roma understands the importance of this event for the players, who have a close relationship with Messi.
Despite Roma's decision, three Roma players - Leonardo Balerdi, Matias Soule, and Santiago Castro - have been called up to the Argentina squad for the international break. They will join the team for the friendly matches. Roma respects Messi's achievements and wishes him and the Argentine Football Association a memorable evening.
The decision to refuse permission was made for sporting and logistical reasons. Roma wants to prioritize their own commitments and minimize disruptions to their schedule. The club values the relationships between their players and Messi but must balance these with their own needs.
Argentine Football Association president Claudio Tapia had previously announced that Messi would be honored at the farewell match. He invited all players who won the World Cup with Messi to attend, along with their families. The event is expected to be a special occasion for Argentine fans and football enthusiasts.
Roma's decision highlights the challenges faced by clubs in balancing player commitments with international events. The club must manage their schedule carefully to ensure they meet their obligations. Dybala and Molina will miss out on the opportunity to attend Messi's farewell match, but the club has three other players participating in the international break.
The relationship between Roma and Argentine football is strong, with several Argentine players representing the club. The decision to refuse permission for Dybala and Molina to attend the farewell match is not a reflection on their appreciation for Messi's achievements. The club is focused on their own goals and objectives.
Key points
- Roma cites travel distance and upcoming commitments as reasons for not allowing Dybala and Molina to attend Messi's farewell match.
- Three Roma players have been called up to the Argentina squad for the international break.
- Messi's farewell match will be a significant event, honoring his contributions to Argentine football.
