BUENOS AIRES — The stage is set at the Estadio Monumental for an emotional, star-studded tribute to the greatest player to ever don the Albiceleste jersey. Lionel Messi’s final Argentina appearance, a ceremonial showdown against Benin, was billed as a grand reunion of the iconic 2022 World Cup-winning squad. However, the guest list will be missing two notable contributors, as AS Roma has officially blocked Paulo Dybala and Nahuel Molina from making the transatlantic journey to pay their final respects on the pitch.
The Argentine Football Association (AFA), led by president Claudio Tapia, had extended an open invitation to every member of the historic Qatar championship team. While the sentiment was universally welcomed by the players, the realities of the professional football calendar have intervened. Despite neither player being called up for the current international window, Roma has opted to keep their stars in Italy, citing the grueling nature of intercontinental travel and a packed domestic schedule as the primary obstacles.
Roma block Dybala and Molina from travelling to Argentina
In a formal statement released on Tuesday, AS Roma clarified their stance, emphasizing that the decision was rooted in club pragmatism rather than a lack of respect for the legendary captain.
“AS Roma announces that Paulo Dybala and Nahuel Molina will not participate in the event organized in Argentina for the match between Argentina and Benin on October 6,” the statement read. “The club recognizes the importance of this appointment for the two players, who are linked to Lionel Messi and played a key role in his victory at the 2022 World Cup. The club’s choice was based on sporting and logistical reasons, linked to the length of the intercontinental trip and the proximity of official commitments.”
The decision puts Roma in a difficult position publicly, but the club’s current momentum in Serie A provides some context. Currently tied at the top of the table alongside Inter Milan and Lazio, Roma is fiercely protective of their squad’s fitness as they navigate a high-stakes campaign.
Gasperini explains why the timing was impossible
Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini was blunt when asked about the situation, framing the controversy as a matter of simple arithmetic and physical recovery. With an essential fixture against Como 1907 looming on October 11—a mere five days after the farewell festivities—the risk of jet lag and physical fatigue was deemed too high.
“We are too close to an important game,” Gasperini told Sky Sport Italia. “We’re a long way from Argentina and sending them there would have meant making them fly for a lot of hours so close to the match. The club preferred for that not to happen.”
Despite the logistical friction, Gasperini was quick to offer praise for the man being honored. “Messi’s farewell will be emotional. Personally, I’ve seen lots of star players, initially as a player myself and then as a coach, but it’s hard to think of anyone who’s achieved what Lionel has. I’m sorry to see his career with the Albiceleste come to an end.”
The complexities of the snub
The absence of Dybala and Molina is particularly poignant given their peripheral status in the current national team setup. Had they been included in Lionel Scaloni’s active squad, Roma would have been legally obligated to release them under FIFA regulations. However, their status as non-participants in this international window gave the club the leverage to deny the travel request.
Dybala’s relationship with the national team has remained complex since his last appearance against Colombia in September 2024. Despite his technical brilliance, he has struggled to find a permanent foothold in Scaloni’s evolving tactical system, which is currently shifting toward younger prospects like Nico Paz and Franco Mastantuono.
Molina’s case is arguably more complicated. The defender remains effectively exiled from competitive action for Argentina, currently serving a significant seven-match suspension stemming from the fallout of the 2026 World Cup final. For both men, the farewell match was meant to be a moment of closure and celebration of a shared history that saw them earn a combined 105 caps for their country.
A bittersweet reunion
While Dybala and Molina will watch from Rome, the atmosphere in Buenos Aires is expected to remain electric. Other Serie A stars, including Inter Milan captain Lautaro Martínez and Juventus winger Nico González, are expected to be in attendance. Interestingly, Roma will not be entirely unrepresented at the event, as Leonardo Balerdi, Matías Soulé, and Santiago Castro have been included in the wider squad selection for the farewell match.
For Messi, the match against Benin is not merely an exhibition; it is the final chapter of a storied career that saw him unite a nation and lift the ultimate prize in football. While the reunion will be incomplete without the presence of the full 2022 roster, the event serves as a testament to the lasting bonds forged in the heat of a World Cup campaign. As the stadium lights shine down on the pitch this Sunday, the absence of Dybala and Molina will be felt, but the focus will remain firmly on the icon who changed Argentine football forever.
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