Overview
- Roma confirmed on Tuesday that Paulo Dybala and Nahuel Molina will not travel to Buenos Aires for Lionel Messi’s Oct. 6 farewell, saying the choice was for "sporting and logistical reasons."
- The club pointed to the length of the intercontinental trip and the proximity of Roma’s upcoming fixtures, including the Serie A match at Como on Oct. 11 and a Champions League tie with Real Madrid.
- Neither player would have been available to play in the friendly: Dybala was not in Argentina’s squad and Molina is serving a seven-match international ban.
- Matias Soule will be allowed to travel because he was officially called up and FIFA rules require clubs to release players who receive formal national-team summons.
- The move has prompted public debate over club versus country priorities, with Roma stressing respect for Messi while critics say the decision underscores growing strain between club schedules and national ceremonies.